ICC to release funds to settle Zimbabwe cricketers and staff dues [Update Post #39]

[Abdullah719]

Zimbabwe's national cricket players have threatened to put the upcoming tri-series with Australia and Pakistan in "serious jeopardy" if they are not given clarity over pending dues till 16 May. The nationally-contracted players have reportedly hired a prominent lawyer, Gerald Mlotshwa, to take up their case.

Zimbabwe's players have not been paid their match fees since the tour of Sri Lanka last July. They have also not received salaries for past two months.

In a letter addressed to Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) and copied to Ministry of Sport and the International Cricket Council (ICC), Mlotshwa has given ZC until noon on Wednesday (16 May) to provide a written undertaking as to when the outstanding money will be paid.

"There has been no lawful explanation, or justification, whatsoever as to why these amounts are outstanding, and more importantly, when exactly the said amounts, many months in arrears, will be paid," reads the letter.

Further, it calls the ZC stance "unprofessional, unconscionable and indicative of serious underlying governance and financial management shortcomings."

"Each of our clients demand a written undertaking, on or before 12 noon, Wednesday 16th May 2018, from Zimbabwe Cricket as to precisely when all amounts due and payable to them shall be paid in full. Failure to do so will, apart from our clients pursuing such legal remedies as may be available to them, place into serious jeopardy the upcoming Triangular Series in July 2018."

The letter, dated 9 May, also warns ZC against attempts to intimidate the players.

The immediate cause of the financial crisis in ZC is ICC's lack of interest in board's request for an advance amount. The next significant cash disbursement is likely to happen in July.

https://www.firstpost.com/firstcric...rdy-over-non-payment-of-salaries-4466075.html

 

[MMHS]

What they have turned that beautiful country into in just 3 decades. One of the most beautiful country on earth and nice, friendly people, with great potential.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

ZCB is the most incompetent administration in cricket

 

[sam_ahm]

I was desperately hoping for Zimbabwe to qualify for the WC but now I think even if they would have the situation will still be the same. ZC appears to be corrupt to the core and they are the ones who killed cricket in Zimbabwe not the ICC.

If a war torn country like Afghanistan can make giant strides, if the likes of Scotland, Netherlands and Ireland who get much lesser amounts from the ICC can progress positively, why can't Zimbabwe? We've lost another cricketing nation like Kenya, and as a fan I'm very sad.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

This series ain't happening folks.

 

[Hamza_]

Is it that they (Zim. Cricket Board) have very autocratic and bossy leadership? With unconfident employees?

 

[MMHS]

I was desperately hoping for Zimbabwe to qualify for the WC but now I think even if they would have the situation will still be the same. ZC appears to be corrupt to the core and they are the ones who killed cricket in Zimbabwe not the ICC.

If a war torn country like Afghanistan can make giant strides, if the likes of Scotland, Netherlands and Ireland who get much lesser amounts from the ICC can progress positively, why can't Zimbabwe? We've lost another cricketing nation like Kenya, and as a fan I'm very sad.

ZCB would have stolen 90% of the money, so it's good. In fact, I won't have been upset to see WIN miss out for Ireland, a country trying to master an English game. I visited Singapore few years back - there are multi million dollar villas in Marina, owned by Zimbabweans (politicians), for a country with negative GDP growth and hyper inflation .....

 

[Rishta Aunty]

ZCB have killed their cricket, through incompetence, corruption and nepotism. It's worrisome for international cricket to lose another of it's major players. Cricket is a dying sport.

 

[MMHS]

Is it that they (Zim. Cricket Board) have very autocratic and bossy leadership? With unconfident employees?

They are thieves, no dacoits.

Every institution in 3rd world is more or less corrupt (Our BCB boys are making good haram money out of cricket), but these ZIM's are armed robbers - they'll take everything and then kill every witness so that none testimony later .....

 

[Hawkeye]

Good.

They should demand their right, i.e. their wage.

 

[Markhor]

Is it that they (Zim. Cricket Board) have very autocratic and bossy leadership? With unconfident employees?

The ZCB hierachy aren't appointed because they're competent administrators but because they benefit from the patronage of the ruling ZANU PF who are corrupt to the core.

I'll give one example. A few years ago $6m of an ICC loan was found to have been funneled into the account of Metbank, one of Zimbabwe's leading banks.

Who sat on the Board of Metbank ? Ozias Bvute, Peter Chingoka and Wilson Manase - all ZCB executives.

No wonder the players keep kicking off about their pay when they see funds mismanaged like this. What doesn't help is the state of the Zimbabwean economy which has been destroyed by Mugabe's incompetence, hence why many Zimbabwean cricketers have sought moves overseas.

A Pakistani and former ICC chief financial officer Faisal Hasnain tried to sort the finances out but even he's bolted. Now with a failure to qualify for the World Cup, mass sackings of coaches and mounting debts, there's not much left of Zimbabwe cricket.

 

[shane]

Really sad to see what has become of Zimbabwe cricket. They were my favourite team in the 1999 World cup, the underdogs with the blazing red kit. Things looked so bright for them back then.

 

[moghul]

What they have turned that beautiful country into in just 3 decades. One of the most beautiful country on earth and nice, friendly people, with great potential.

And, great weather to play cricket, almost year-round.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

ZIM board isn't incompetent. They are highly efficient and embezzling ICC funds. Thank god they didn't qualify for the WC when they had it in the bag and only a loss against UAE could have prevented them from progressing. Sad for the fans, but good for money.

 

[sam_ahm]

ZCB would have stolen 90% of the money, so it's good. In fact, I won't have been upset to see WIN miss out for Ireland, a country trying to master an English game. I visited Singapore few years back - there are multi million dollar villas in Marina, owned by Zimbabweans (politicians), for a country with negative GDP growth and hyper inflation .....

Agreed mate. The saddest part is that the common zimbabwean fans are still so passionate about their cricket. I very closely followed the WC qualifiers and the support from the fans was amazing. I think those were free entry games but still.

Heath and Tatenda were doing a very good job of bringing lost talent back to Zimbabwe and I was hopeful that things may slowly get back on track but sadly it is all lost now.

 

[hadi123]

This makes me so sad. I've always had a soft spot for Zimbabwe.

 

[saeed5646]

Reports are royal bank have agree to pay dues to ZCB and players will get their salary very soon

 

[saeed5646]

Hopefully this trination now does happen we need some cricket before next series

 

[shaz619]

And still we have posters who are big fans of people like Joshua who supports vile individuals like Robert Mugabe, he has single handedly destroyed his country and sport

 

[Arham_PakFan]

I hope the series goes ahead.Need some ODI practice before the WC

 

[TeymurBlake]

This tour should go ahead. Pakistan players can use this series to develop more and allow new players to stake a claim in the team. Hopefully Hussain Talat has a good series to get rid of

 

[sam_ahm]

I think Brendan Taylor and Jarvis have already stated on twitter that they have started their training for the series against Pak and Aus. So the series is surely on.

I think Sikandar Raza has opted out though, he has signed up with some club in UK and there are doubts about his Zimbabwe future. Other than him Zim should be close to full strength

 

[MenInG]

Australia's upcoming T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe is under threat, with Zimbabwe players reportedly issuing an ultimatum to their governing body: pay us by June 25, or we'll boycott the series.

A Zimbabwe-Pakistan T20 International is slated for July 1 in Harare to kickstart the tournament also featuring a strong Australian outfit, however according to an ESPN report, players are still waiting on match fees from last July's tour of Sri Lanka, as well as three months' salary.

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), which has battled financial stability for the vast majority of the century, is due to receive an injection of funds from the ICC next month but with the deadline set for June 25, the situation could reach crisis point.

According to a ZC spokesperson, the matter is expected to be resolved this week.


"Due to a very difficult financial situation beyond its control, ZC has been unable to meet some of its obligations, including paying player and staff salaries in time," the spokesperson said.

"However, because this is a matter of top priority, ZC has been working round the clock to address the challenge and, as promised to the players by our chairman, ZC expects to start processing payments this week."

A Cricket Australia spokesperson said CA were monitoring the situation in Zimbabwe.

ZC was struck another blow in its ill-fated history last month when managing director Faisal Hasnain resigned from his post less than a year after being appointed.

With Hasnain on board, Zimbabwe had been able to lure big-name players Kyle Jarvis and Brendan Taylor – both of whom had taken Kolpak deals to play in England – back into the fold, while also earning hosting rights for the World Cup qualifiers.

However, their failure to qualify for next year's World Cup led to the Board's decision to fire the entire coaching staff, as well as convener of selectors Tatenda Taibu.

Since, Lalchand Rajput has been appointed as interim head coach, however players are presently refusing to train.

The exit of Hasnain has also complicated potential negotiations between the players (who do not have a union but have hired a lawyer to represent them) and the board; without a managing director, they are unsure with whom they should be dealing.

Last night, Zimbabwe Cricket issued a press release saying South African Vintcent van der Bijl, a former ICC umpires and referees manager, has been appointed as a consultant to the organisation "with immediate effect".

"He will assist ZC in all cricket matters, working closely with the board, the executive and national team management to map out a positive, constructive path forward," the statement read.

"The move … is part of a major initiative by ZC to restructure its domestic and international cricket."

Australia have not played cricket in any format in Zimbabwe since a tri-series with the hosts and South Africa in 2014.

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/zim...-australia-t20-tri-series-pakistan/2018-06-05

 

[Deewana Mastana]

This series ain't happening folks.

I called it first.

 

[Ahmed4472]

So if this series gets cancelled, Australia will be free and probably will be still in England around the time, can Najam Sethi convince ECB and CA to have some cricket in England. 2 tests and 3-5 ODIs. I know we are already hosting Australia in UAE for tests and LOIs but playing in England would be very good for overall viewership and our preparations for next ODI WC

 

[hadi123]

So if this series gets cancelled, Australia will be free and probably will be still in England around the time, can Najam Sethi convince ECB and CA to have some cricket in England. 2 tests and 3-5 ODIs. I know we are already hosting Australia in UAE for tests and LOIs but playing in England would be very good for overall viewership and our preparations for next ODI WC

It's not that easy. I highly doubt we'd see a series between Australia and Pakistan in England.

 

[zn426]

It's not that easy. I highly doubt we'd see a series between Australia and Pakistan in England.

Why not move the entire series? Pakistan will get mountains of support in England, better than playing in front of empty stands in UAE. One would think PCB and ECB have repaired their relationship post-2010 now after the excellent series the past two visits...surely they would allow it.

 

[Ahmed4472]

It's not that easy. I highly doubt we'd see a series between Australia and Pakistan in England.

It is not for sure but when there is a will there is a way

 

[MMHS]

Scenes are really getting ugly there, I just imagine a situation where ZIMs might one day will say - Mughabe was better, bring him back alive .....

This time, PAK's tour also might be in question; because I don't think players would compromise their stand - no WC money in future; whatever available in upfront cash is better

 

[Suleiman]

Good, I'm sick of seeing us playing them so often and then narrowly escape an upset.

 

[sam_ahm]

I feel sorry for Zimbabwe but I'm sure the series will go ahead. They may even field a depleted side like they did in 2003/04 when the white players left. It's a corrupt board and Aus / Pak T20s surely means they will make some money from hosting this series.

ZCB needs to be dissolved and the ICC should ask them to start afresh with genuine people on board, if tney care an iota about saving cricket in the african nation.

 

[hadi123]

Why not move the entire series? Pakistan will get mountains of support in England, better than playing in front of empty stands in UAE. One would think PCB and ECB have repaired their relationship post-2010 now after the excellent series the past two visits...surely they would allow it.

Yes they may get support etc but you still have to think is it viable. It's not that easy as PCB saying to ECB "can we play in your country" "Yes"

 

[Abdullah719]

Aussie cricket delegation in Zim

A three man Australian delegation is in the country on a fact-finding mission ahead of the triangular series involving hosts Zimbabwe and Pakistan which is under threat following an ultimatum issued by the players to be paid by the 25th of this month or they boycott the tri-series.

Following the dissolution of the technical team after failing to qualify for the T20 World Cup threats there is no team to talk about, although a new coach was appointed he is not expected in the country until the 10th of June and some of the players like former captain Brandon “BT” Taylor are training on their own at Harare Sports Club to keep fit.

In an exclusive interview with ZBC News, Adam Fraser, senior manager team operations Cricket Australia said the visit was a routine one to check on the state of preparedness, playing and training facilities and accommodation to ensure everything is in place before the team arrives.

Fraser, however, declined to be drawn into commenting on the current the state of affairs at Zimbabwe Cricket but said his side was in the UK on tour playing ODIs.

The Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) is in turmoil with no coach in sight although one was appointed recently, no players selected although a three-man panel appointed, no doctor or physiotherapist or fitness trainer after an entire technical team headed by Heath Streak was sacked after failing to qualify for the ICC World Cup during qualifiers held in Zimbabwe recently.

A Zimbabwe Pakistan T20 international is slated for July 1 to kick-start the triangular series featuring Australia.

Zimbabwean players are owed four months salaries and allowances dating back to the Sri Lanka series.

ZC is battling financial instability and is heavily in debt.

The Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Kazembe Kazembe has ordered a commission of inquiry and a financial audit into the operations of ZC.

http://www.zbc.co.zw/aussie-cricket-delegation-in-zim/

 

[PakLFC]

Don't think anything has really changed after Mugabe. They seem to be a bigger mess the before.

 

[sam_ahm]

Apparently ZC has done partial payment of salaries to players and have also organized a practice tournament involving Kenya

Lets see if the players give in or remain firm until full payments are made.

 

[giri26]

Zimbabwe cricket director Enock Ikope provisionally suspended by ICC

DUBAI: Zimbabwe cricket director Enock Ikope has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after being charged with breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code on three counts.

Ikope, chairman of the Harare Metropolitan Cricket Association (HMCA) and director of Zimbabwe Cricket, has 14 days from today to respond to the charges, the ICC said.

He has been charged with breaching: Article 2.4.6 (failure or refusal, without compelling justification, to cooperate with an investigation being carried out by the ACU), Article 2.4.7 (delaying an investigation being carried out by the ACU) and Article 2.4.7 (obstruction of an investigation being carried out by the ACU).

In March, former treasurer and marketing director of the HMCA, Rajan Nayar, was suspended from all cricketing activities for 20 years by the ICC for attempting to improperly influence an international match.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/spo...e-provisionally-suspended-by-icc-1826780.html

 

[MenInG]

Not good news from Zimbabwe

 

[giri26]

CA hopeful Zimbabwe tour will go ahead

Cricket Australia is bullish a Twenty20 tri-series in Zimbabwe will take place, with officials having received assurances on several fronts during a pre-tour visit.

Australia's T20 side face England in a one-off game after the current ODI series, then are due to take on Zimbabwe and Pakistan from July 1-8 in Harare.

A standoff between players and Zimbabwe Cricket over unpaid match fees and salaries has cast doubt over the T20 series.

A recent ESPN report over the owed funds, dating back to a tour last July of Sri Lanka, suggested players were likely to call off their threatened protest action.

The two cricket boards have been in dialogue about the issue, with CA confident the hosts will sort it out.

It'll be the first time Australia have toured the African country since the end of dictator Robert Mugabe's 37-year reign in last year's military coup.

Zimbabwe is due to hold an election on July 30, with president Emmerson Mnangagwa seeking to bolster his government's legitimacy after seizing power.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is warning Australians that "instances of conflict cannot be ruled out in the lead up to, during and soon after the election" and "the security situation could deteriorate quickly".

CA representatives earlier this month visited Zimbabwe's capital, inspecting facilities and assessing security arrangements. They have given the green light for the tour to proceed.

Justin Langer's team will soon receive briefings on security and anti-corruption, as is the case prior to most series.

Corruption has been a long-standing issue in Zimbabwe - and cricket has not been immune.

Two officials from the Harare Metropolitan Cricket Association (HMCA) were charged earlier this year with breaching the ICC's anti-corruption code.

Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer was offered $US30,000 ($A39,615) last year by corrupt official Rajan Nayer to fix a Test series against the West Indies.

Cremer reported the approach and the ICC investigated, banning Nayer from all cricketing activities for 20 years.

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/aus...akistan-schedule-cricket-australia/2018-06-15

 

[Arham_PakFan]

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that it will, as part of a controlled payment plan, release funds for Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) so that the beleaguered cricket board can settle the dues it owes its cricketers and staff.

According to a press release by ZC, the ICC will release an initial payment as part of a plan the details of which are still to be completed.

“Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) is pleased to announce that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed the release of funds for the payment of monies owed to current staff and players, including the players’ match fees,” ZC said in a media release on Saturday.

“The payment is part of an initial payment that forms part of a controlled funding payment plan the full details of which are still to be completed,” it said.

After failing to clear the outstanding salaries of players and support staff by the July 25 deadline, ZC approached the ICC for further financial help. Due to its financial troubles, ZC saw several of its first-choice cricketers including Brendan Taylor, Graeme Cremer, Sikandar Raza, Craig Ervine andSean Williams opting out of a T20I tri-series involving Pakistan and Australia.

“ZC and the ICC are working together to ensure ZC meets the conditions of the ICC-controlled spending process so that the monthly cash distributions from the ICC can be finalised. Payment plan proposals will be discussed and communicated to all outstanding creditors once this process has been concluded,” the release said.

http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/...tle-zimbabwe-cricketers-and-staff-dues-730157

 

[sam_ahm]

Great news.

This is what I love about Pakpassion, it's not only about Pakistan cricket. You find news about things happening all over the world of cricket.