Zimbabwe confirm Pakistan tour to go ahead
Zimbabwe have confirmed that their tour to Pakistan, which is scheduled to start on 22 May, will go ahead despite objections from their government that it is to dangerous.
The confirmation of the tour comes after three days of confusion which saw Zimbabwe Cricket on Thursday send out a press release saying the tour was suspended only to retract their statement 20 minutes later saying they are still engaged in meetings.
The ICC, meanwhile, on Sunday also issued a media release stating that they will not appoint any match officials for the matches which includes two T20I's and three ODI's.
The statement said: The ICC today advised the PCB and ZC that it will not be appointing its match officials for the upcoming series. The ICC's decision has been made after receiving a report from its security consultant.
"The ICC Board, during its April meeting, had decided that the playing conditions relating to the appointment of match officials could be waived to allow the PCB to appoint local match officials for this series should the ICC decide not to send its umpires and referee due to the current security situation in Pakistan.
"If this was to occur, the matches would still be considered 'official cricket', even though they will not be played strictly in accordance with the ICC standard playing conditions."
Zimbabwe will be the first Full Member cricket nation to tour Pakistan since 2009 when a Sri Lanka team bus was attacked by gunman killing eight people and injuring six players from the touring squad.
The African team have been promised VIP security which includes armed guards, an armed vehicle escort and helicopter monitoring of their travel in Lahore, the only city they will visit.
Latest
-
NewsICC elect Greg Barclay as new chairman
New Zealander Greg Barclay assumes the wheel at the ICC.
-
NewsSilverwood unlikely to try Stokes-Buttler IPL job swap for England
Ben Stokes was promoted to the top of the order and Jos Buttler slotted in down at number five for Rajasthan Royals recently.
-
NewsRassie upbeat ahead of T20 series despite contrasting build-ups
South Africa have not played together since March while England had a full international programme over the summer.
-
NewsTendulkar suggests plan to stifle Smith
Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar has offered some advice to India’s bowlers on how to deal with Australia’s star batsman Steven Smith.
-
NewsIndia suffer double blow as Rohit and Ishant ruled out
India will have to do without the services of Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma during the first two Tests against Australia.
-
NewsSam Curran stars as England get creative in internal T20 practice match in Paarl
Jos Buttler’s XI coasted to victory over Eoin Morgan’s team, with a second target then hastily set to gain more practice time.
-
NewsKagiso Rabada reiterates BLM support as South Africa opt against taking knee
The Proteas will not take a knee during the forthcoming series against England.
-
NewsOlly Stone ready to ‘bash down the door’ after England recall
The Warwickshire paceman was included in the one-day international squad against South Africa and impressed in an intra-squad warm-up game.
-
NewsSam Billings striving to make sure he keeps place in ‘phenomenal’ England side
Billings and Joe Root put on 103 for Jos Buttler’s XI in a 40-over intra-squad warm-up victory in Cape Town.
-
NewsJoe Root hits decisive 77 as Jos Buttler’s team triumph in England warm-up match
The 23-man squad was split in two for the 40-over practice match in Cape Town, with Team Eoin Morgan challenging Team Buttler.