ICC lifts Zimbabwe’s suspension

THE International Cricket Council (ICC) has with immediate effect lifted the suspension imposed on Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) on 18 July 2019.

Consequently, all of ZC’s rights as a Full Member of the ICC have been restored.

The lifting of ZC’s suspension was confirmed at an ICC Board meeting held in Dubai this Monday, 14 October 2019.

The International Cricket Council has readmitted Zimbabwe as a member following a three-month ban.

The outcome was the result of an earlier meeting held in Dubai on Friday, 11 October 2019, involving the ICC Chairman and Vice-Chairman as well as ICC Chief Executive Officer, the Zimbabwe Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Honourable Kirsty Coventry, ZC Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani and Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) Chairman Gerald Mlotshwa.

ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar said: “I would like to thank the Zimbabwe Sports Minister for her commitment to the reinstatement of Zimbabwe Cricket. Her desire to work in support of Zimbabwe Cricket was clear and she has unconditionally complied with the conditions set down by the ICC Board. Funding to Zimbabwe Cricket will continue to be on a controlled basis as part of a collective effort behind getting the game in Zimbabwe back on an even keel.”

The ICC said Zimbabwe will now be able to take up its place in the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup in January and the ICC Super League later in 2020.

ZC had been suspended as a member of the ICC following the suspension of the entire ZC Board and its Acting Managing Director on 19 June 2019 by the SRC.

Following constructive engagement between all parties, led by Honourable Coventry, the SRC lifted the suspension of the ZC Board and its Acting Managing Director on 8 August 2019, paving the way for the reinstatement of ZC’s membership of the ICC.

“We are elated to get our membership restored and this marks the beginning of a new, exciting chapter for our cricket, with ZC’s focus now fully back on ensuring our game is thriving, sustainable and financially stable,” Mukuhlani said.

“This would not have been possible without the steadfast support of the ICC and our colleagues from other member boards and we are very grateful to them.”

Mukuhlani also extended ZC’s appreciation to Honourable Coventry and the SRC for their efforts in ensuring that actions regarding the administration of cricket were made in the best interests of the game in Zimbabwe.