Zimbabwe, Nepal reinstated as Members of ICC

Zimbabwe Cricket can heave a sigh of relief as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has reinstated them as one of their members. The apex body of the game took the massive decision after a meeting between chairman Shashank Manohar, chief executive Manu Sawhney, Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani, Zimbabwe Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry and Gerald Mlotshwa, the Chairman of the Sports and Recreation Commission.

Earlier this year in July, the ICC had suspended ZC due to government interference in the board’s activities. The ICC had also frozen its funds to Zimbabwe Cricket in addition to barring the representative teams from Zimbabwe from participating in ICC events. Consequently, Zimbabwe could not participate in Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in August and the Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi.

However, the African nation has now received the green light from the ICC to resume normal cricket activities. They are now eligible to take their place in the Men’s Under-19 World Cup in January and the ICC Super League that begins later in 2020. Shashank Manohar said that Zimbabwe Sports Minister agreed to the conditions set down by the ICC which paved the way for the country’s reinstatement.

“I would like to thank the Zimbabwe Sports Minister for her commitment to the reinstatement of ZC,” Manohar said in an ICC statement. “Her desire to work in support of Zimbabwe Cricket was clear and she has unconditionally complied with the conditions set down by the ICC Board. Funding to Zimbabwe Cricket will continue to be on a controlled basis as part of a collective effort behind getting the game in Zimbabwe back on an even keel.”

Nepal reinstated too

Nepal have also been reinstated as ICC members although on a conditional basis. They were suspended in 2016 for violating the ICC regulations, which “prohibit government interference and require fair elections.” The ICC reinstated Nepal after the election of a 17-member Central Working Committee for the Cricket Association of Nepal earlier this month.

“Given the progress made in Nepal, a transition plan will now be developed for the Cricket Association of Nepal to support full compliance with Associate Membership criteria, which will also involve controlled funding,” Manohar said.

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