Cash crunch threatens to derail Zimbabwe’s season

Zimbabwe and Afghanistan resume their rivalry in the fourth ODI match tomorrow.

ZIMBABWE’S on-going cash crunch is threatening to disrupt – if not entirely wipe out – their forthcoming international season. Pakistan are due to visit Zimbabwe for an all-format tour over July-August but there is a distinct possibility it may not go ahead at all.

Before that visit, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) have been in negotiations to arrange a limited-overs tri-series with Australia and Pakistan in June, but the status of that is also currently in doubt.

“Finances may not allow the (Pakistan) series to go ahead because we don’t get a lot from our TV contract, and the series ends up – the production costs result in huge losses,” Faisal Hasnain, ZC’s managing director told ESPNcricinfo.

“Given our current cash situation, in order to balance our books, we may actually have to either renegotiate the format or we may have to postpone it until such time as we are ready to play.”

Hasnain was in Lahore recently to discuss the matter with PCB officials, who have indicated that they will support whatever decision ZC makes. As it stands, Pakistan are supposed to play two Tests, three ODIs and two T20s on the tour. No side has played more internationals in Zimbabwe since the start of 2011 than Pakistan; they have toured thrice since then, twice for all-format visits and once for a limited-overs only tour.

On the current FTP, Australia are scheduled to tour Zimbabwe in June for a bilateral series as well – including one Test – but it appears that commitment has transformed into the tri-series. But even that is hostage to the financial difficulties of the board.

“We are looking at all of that to see whether we have the tri-series only, the Pakistan series only, or we change the format,” Hasnain said. “We are just working through, considering our options at the moment.”

ZC are expected to take a final call on the schedule within the next 2-3 weeks.

But if the commitments do not materialise, it will not be a surprise – scaling back on home commitments is something ZC first flagged late last year. So acute has the crisis become, that ZC has postponed its domestic cricket while also having to delay salary payments to board staff and players.

It could be that the only top-quality cricket fans will be able to see in the country are the 2019 World Cup qualifiers, which are due to begin from March 4. The three-week tournament will be played across four venues in Bulawayo and Harare. The qualifiers being an ICC event, remain unaffected by ZC’s cash troubles.

Meanwhile Afghanistan’s National Cricket Team beat Zimbabwe in the 3rd ODI match on Tuesday night in Sharjah stadium in the UAE.

Zimbabwe batted first and set a target of 155 runs. Afghanistan ended on 158 runs beating Zimbabwe by six wickets. 

Rashid Khan claimed 5 for 24 – his third five-wicket haul in ODI cricket – to dismantle Zimbabwe for 154 in 34.3 overs and usher Afghanistan to a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Rashid struck twice in his third over to remove Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl. By then, Zimbabwe had lost half their side for 117. 

When Rashid pinned Craig Ervine lbw, Zimbabwe slumped further to 126 for 7. The legspinner went onto blast out the tail and finish with figures of 5 for 24 in 8.3 overs. 

Sixteen-year-old Mujeeb Zadran, who made light work of the top order, ended with 3 for 45 in his 10 overs. Only three Zimbabwe batsmen passed 20 with Craig Ervine top-scoring with 39.            Chasing a slim target, Afghanistan lost their openers Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah to Tendai Chatara inside eight overs.

However, a 69-run third-wicket stand between Rahmat Shah and Nasir Jamal stabilised the innings. Both batsmen went onto bring up their half-centuries as Afghanistan made deep inroads into the target.

While Rahmat fell to Ryan Burl for 56 off 52 balls, Graeme Cremer brought Nasir’s 51-run effort to an end in the 27th over. 

Najibullah Zadran then wrapped up the chase in the following over with back-to-back fours.

Both teams will meet again in the fourth ODI match on Friday. – ESPNcricinfo/tolonews.com