ICC to examine Zimbabwe links

12 April 2012

Zimbabwe's future as a cricketing nation will come under the microscope in Dubai next week.

Following further decline under the Robert Mugabe regime, South Africa's cricket board on Monday severed bilateral arrangements with their African neighbours. As a result, the International Cricket Council's executive board will discuss Zimbabwe's status next Wednesday.

"The ICC has never concerned itself with how member countries are governed," ICC president-elect David Morgan, speaking at the launch of the ICC World Twenty20 2009, said.

"However, yesterday (Monday) Cricket South Africa announced that they were scrapping bilateral contact with Zimbabwe Cricket.

"It has been decided to put Zimbabwe on the agenda of the executive board meeting of the ICC which takes place next Wednesday in Dubai."

South Africa's decision has a major significance, given that they have been long-term supporters of Zimbabwe Cricket, and have blocked previous moves by other full member nations to impose sanctions.

Zimbabwe were on Tuesday revealed in Group A of next year's Twenty20 event but their participation is now in major doubt. If they have to be replaced in the 12-team event, a third associate country will be included.

Current ICC president Ray Mali is himself a South African and was keen for the issue to be discussed by the 13 directors of the executive board.

"Cricket South Africa's decision yesterday is hugely significant," Morgan added. "Clearly they will want something done.

"They're very influential in terms of southern African cricket and Zimbabwe is part of that. Quite where the various members will stand on it I really don't know - all of this is new as of five o'clock yesterday."

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