Published: Jul 18, 2019, 11:20 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 18, 2019, 11:20 PM (IST)
The ICC has suspended Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) with immediate effect for breach of its constitution, the governing body informed after the decision was taken at the ICC Annual Conference in London on Thursday.
“The ICC Board unanimously decided that Zimbabwe Cricket, an ICC Full Member, is in breach of Article 2.4 (c) and (d) of the ICC Constitution which imposes an obligation on Members to provide a process for free and democratic elections and to ensure that there is no government interference in its governance and / or administration for cricket respectively,” read a statement from the ICC.
“As a consequence of suspension, ICC funding to Zimbabwe Cricket will be frozen and representative teams from Zimbabwe will not be allowed to participate in any ICC events. The ICC has directed that the elected Zimbabwe Cricket Board be reinstated to office within three months, and progress in this respect will be considered again at the October Board meeting,” it added.
With this decision, Zimbabwe will no longer receive ICC funding and representative teams from the country will be barred from participating at ICC events. The move also puts Zimbabwe’s participation in next year’s Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in jeopardy.
“We do not take the decision to suspend a Member lightly, but we must keep our sport free from political interference. What has happened in Zimbabwe is a serious breach of the ICC Constitution and we cannot allow it to continue unchecked,” ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar said.
“The ICC wants cricket to continue in Zimbabwe in accordance with the ICC Constitution.”
The Croatia Cricket Federation and the Zambia Cricket Union have both also been suspended for continuing non-compliance with ICC Membership criteria.
The Moroccan Royal Cricket Federation have continued to remain non-compliant with ICC Membership Criteria 2.2(b)(ii), 2.2(b)(iii), 2.2(b)(iv) and 2.2(e)(i) and as such has been expelled from Membership of the ICC.
