Published: Jul 07, 2016, 11:22 AM (IST)
Edited: Jul 07, 2016, 12:09 PM (IST)
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) will be re-thinking about sending their team on Zimbabwe tour this month starting July 28 due to civil unrest in the country. Zimbabwe’s economic situation has resulted in complete shutdown of foreign banks and business in country’s capital, Harare. The civil unrest led to violence between police and taxi drivers. The police arrested 95 people for violence in Harare. The unrest was caused because doctors, nurses and teachers were not paid their salaries. NZC will be assessing the situation in Zimbabwe, as New Zealand-based players will be flying to Africa for a pre-tour camp in Pretoria. That assessment will decide the fate of New Zealand’s tour of Zimbabwe. ALSO READ: Zimbabwe to host New Zealand for 2-match Test series in July
New Zealand’s public affairs manager Richard Brook told nzherald.co.nz, “We are monitoring closely what is happening in Zimbabwe, there are no plans to delay the players leaving New Zealand. While in camp in Pretoria we will be able to keep an eye on what is going on. South Africa ‘A’ are in Harare at present and we will be liaising with South Africa cricket and the British High Commission in Harare.”
Zimbabwe are facing financial crisis which caused a stir amongst citizens. The government is trying to control the situation and stop the violence. It was reported that the government made an attempt yesterday to stop messages by blocking messaging application ‘WhatsApp’. New Zealand are to play a two-match Test series in Zimbabwe. If the tour gets cancelled, it will be a big blow for Zimbabwe as they have not played a single Test since November 2014.
