The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Zimbabwe Cricket on Thursday. Zimbabwe who is a full member of the ICC breached the 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.
The board unanimously decided to go with the decision. Such a decision by the ICC is extremely harmful for the growth and development of Cricket in the growing nation.
The ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar said: “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 has stopped all the funding to Zimbabwe Cricket. Till any further development, the country is not allowed to participate in any ICC event. This comes as a real shocker as their participation for the T20 World Cup Qualifiers is now in jeopardy.
It is to be noted that Zimbabwe could not qualify for the men’s Cricket World Cup too.
Now for Zimbabwe cricket, the ICC has directed that the elected cricket board should be restored in office within three months. Post that, seeing the progress, the ICC will pick up the topic again this October.
ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar also said, “The ICC wants cricket to continue in Zimbabwe in accordance with the ICC Constitution.”
The other two countries that are suspended by the ICC are Zambia and Croatia. According to ICC, The Croatia Cricket Federation and the Zambia Cricket Union have both also been suspended for continuing non-compliance with ICC Membership criteria.
It is also worth noting that the Moroccan Royal Cricket Federation has continued to not comply with ICC membership criteria. Hence they stand expelled from the Membership of ICC.
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