Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe under dark clouds as financial crisis hits ZCU again

The financial woes of the Zimbabwe Cricket do not seem to end. There was a time when cricket in Zimbabwe was on the rise and they were among the better playing nations. However, in the recent years, the financial crisis has not only hit the administration of the cricket in the country but also the performances of the team. They play hardly a couple of Test matches in a year and that in itself is a testimony of how bad the things are.

In August 2018, Zimbabwe are scheduled to host team Pakistan for a full tour. However, there are dark clouds hovering over the tour owing to the fact that the financial crisis has hit Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU). Reportedly, ZCU has requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a loan.

ZCU is hopeful that the ICC will bail them out of this troubled waters. Reportedly, the change in the government administration in the country has severely hit the sport there. Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is still hopeful of seeing things getting sorted out in the coming days.

The PCB Chairman, Najam Sethi, remarked that the ZCU has appealed for a loan to the ICC, and hence, in most likelihood, they should be able to fix things before the Pakistan tour commences. “They have asked us to wait until April for the final decision on the tour as they are expecting support from the ICC,” PCB Chairman Najam Sethi remarked.

Pakistan not keen on hosting the series

Sethi, however, maintained that if Zimbabwe fail to host the series, then the PCB will not be hosting the side in return. He made it clear that hosting the series will not be a cost effective option for the Pakistani side. Meanwhile, ZC is trying to convince the Australian team to also participate in a triangular ODI series in the month of August, which would involve Pakistan as the third side. In any case, the Zimbabwean side is expected to host Pakistan for two Tests, five ODIs, and two T20Is this year.

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