The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
THE long wait is finally over – the domestic cricket season is now set to start. Six months after an international ban that had been imposed on Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), thereby paralysing the association’s operations, the ZC staff and players’ salaries have now been paid.
In July this year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended the ZC over ‘government interference’. This was after the Sport and Recreation Commission (SRC) had nullified the outcome of the ZC elections, before suspending the Tavengwa Mukhuhlani-led board and managing director Givemore Makoni.
Following the ICC suspension, Zimbabwe men and women’s teams missed out on the World T20 qualifiers. ln addition, the cricketers and ZC staff went for months without any remuneration.
But after the months of uncertainty, frustration, depression and anxiety, the season begins this week with the Logan Cup action.
Defending champions Mountaineers will host Tuskers while Eagles will take on Rhinos.
All matches will be in Harare. This week’s action will also be a boost to Zimbabwe’s Test preparations against Sri Lanka, which is set for January. Mukhuhlani hailed his staff’s patience. He also lauded the players for remaining hopeful during the challenging times.
“It’s a process, people have now received their salaries. We couldn’t resume playing when people had six months’ outstanding salaries. “The work done by the staff has been fantastic. They have been putting in the hours and showing great patience, hope and trust. “l urge the players to continue working hard. They should focus on the game and avoid the side shows,” said Mukhuhlani.
In 2020, Zimbabwe will have a busy schedule. A number of tours have already been lined up. After hosting Sri Lanka in January, Zimbabwe will tour Bangladesh in March, where they are set to play one Test and five T20Is under the FTP.
The following month, Zimbabwe will host Ireland, again for one Test and five T20I games. They will then tour Australia for three ODIs in June. The Southern African nation will then host India in a three-match One Day International series in August before hosting Netherlands the following month for three ODIs.
ln October, Zimbabwe will tour Sri Lanka for three ODIs and two T20Is.
