OFF THE CREASE

ZIM CRICKET NAMES SQUAD FOR BANGLADESH TRI-SERIES

2018-01-07T23:24:00.000-08:00

Zimbabwe ODI Squad
Twenty-year old legspinning allrounder Brandon Mavuta & teenage Wicket-keeper Ryan Murray have been selected for the Tri-nation series against Bangladesh & Sri Lanka in Bangladesh, beginning on the 15th.

Squad:
Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Peter Moor, Malcolm Waller, Graeme Cremer (capt), Ryan Murray (wk), Tendai Chisoro, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Christopher Mpofu, Tendai Chatara, Kyle Jarvis

Series Schedule:
Jan 15th - BAN vs ZIM
Jan 17th - SL vs ZIM
Jan 19th - BAN vs SL
Jan 21st - SL vs ZIM
Jan 23rd - BAN vs ZIM
Jan 25th - BAN vs SL
Jan 27th - Final

Usman Khawaja called 'disrespectful' after celebrating his Test half-century with a dab

2017-01-06T06:24:00.000-08:00

The dab has reached Test cricket and UNFORTUNATELY die-hard traditionalists are not too happy about it.
Australia batsman, Usman Khawaja, celebrated his eight 50 in Test cricket by delivering the now iconic 'dab' dance move. The dab has since swept through American and British sport after it was created during a music video for an Atlanta hip-hop artist.

The left-hander admitted he had decided to execute the move after discussions with team mates in the lead up to Australia's Test match with Pakistan at the SCG. "We've been joking about it (the dab) all week," Khawaja said after the match.
"Renners [Matt Renshaw] and a few of the other lads have been talking about it so when I got to fifty I thought 'just dab'." However the light-hearted celebration received a mixed reaction on social media, with many cricket fans calling the dance move 'disrespectful' to Australia's touring opponents.

ZIM DEVELOPMENT LOSE 4 DAYER TO SRI LANKA

2016-09-01T00:44:00.000-07:00

The Zimbabwe Development side made their Sri Lankan counterparts fight hard most of the way to victory, with Carl Mumba again turning in a sterling bowling performance, but in the end the Sri Lankans proved the better team in this match with a five-wicket victory shortly after lunch on the final day at Harare Sports Club.

The position at the start of play was that the Sri Lankans had 38 runs on the board with one wicket down, needing 181 to win. The opening batsman Pabasara Waduge, on 22, and the night-watchman Anuk Fernando, yet to score, opened the batting to the pace bowling of Victor Nyauchi and Mumba.

Fernando was the more aggressive of the two, especially against Nyauchi, who was not up to the same high standard he showed at the start of their first innings. Mumba took the first wicket of the day when he trapped Waduge lbw for 30 with a fine full-length delivery; 69 for two.

Luke Jongwe replaced Nyauchi, and again struck almost immediately, as Lahiru Milantha (6) drove a low catch into the covers, to make the score 84 for three.

Fernando escaped a low chance in the slips off Mumba when he had three, while Charith Asalanka showed more aggression than in his monumental first innings when he hit two early boundaries off Mumba.

Mumba got his man, however, as he burst through Asalanka’s defence and bowled him comprehensively for nine, making the score 97 for four. Zimbabwe were in now with more of a hope of victory, with Mumba the potential match-winner, but he had already bowled for more than an hour without a break.

The Sri Lanka hundred came up in the 25th over.

Sandun Weerakkody was in fine form, as in the first innings, and the Zimbabweans urgently needed to remove him quickly, but Mumba had to be rested and Nyauchi came back to take his place.

Weerakkody laid into the left-arm spin of Wellington Masakadza, hitting him for 18 runs in two overs, and the Sri Lankans were now closing in on victory.

However, on 35 off 39 balls, he went for a big leg-side swish off Nyauchi and was caught at the wicket; 141 for five. The score at lunch was 145 for five, with Fernando on 38 and Rumesh Buddika two. Fernando pulled the first ball after lunch, from Nyauchi, for four as the Sri Lankans set their sights on victory.

Fernando is clearly better than the average night-watchman – he reached his fifty off 64 balls, but immediately after that, with the total at 165, he was dropped by the wicketkeeper Nyasha Mayavo off Nyauchi.

This was the Zimbabweans’ last sniff of snatching victory from this match. The batsmen now proceeded to victory with no further problems, and victory was sealed when Fernando swung a ball from Dylan Hondo over the leg-side boundary for six.

The final total was 185 for five, Fernando finishing on 61 and Buddika 15. Their unbroken stand put on 44, and if the Zimbabweans had been able to dismiss either early, the result might have been different.

Mumba, who bowled superbly throughout the match to take eight wickets altogether, finished with two for 54 in this innings, and Jongwe two for 25.

The vital factor in this match was the failure of most of the Zimbabwean batsmen in their second innings, which enabled the tourists to record their victory.

MUMBA STARS WITH SIX-WICKET HAUL

2016-08-31T02:27:00.002-07:00

Carl Mumba starred with the ball as he claimed six wickets before a poor batting performance by the Zimbabwe Development side left them struggling against their Sri Lankan counterparts, despite another fine innings from Brian Chari, at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.

The Sri Lankans resumed their first innings on 287 for five wickets in reply to the Zimbabweans’ 349, with Charith Asalanka still there with 100, and Anuk Fernando, the night-watchman, with one.

The total was 346, so the Zimbabweans took a narrow first-innings lead of three runs. Victory is by no means assured after their batting collapses in their first innings, but they must go into the final day as favourites to win.

SIBANDA AND CHIGUMBURA DROPPED

2016-07-21T07:42:00.000-07:00

Opener Vusi Sibanda has been dropped, while a back injury has ruled out fast bowler Tinashe Panyangara.

Masvaure had been in form for Zimbabwe A in the recently concluded unofficial Tests against South Africa A, scoring 277 runs from four innings at 92.33, including a century and a half-century.
The squad includes allrounder Chamu Chibhabha, who has played 96 ODIs but is yet to make his Test debut. Two others who have debuted in ODIs but are yet to play Test cricket feature in the squad: opener Peter Moor and fast bowler Taurai Muzarabani.

Returning to the squad are batsmen Tino Mawoyo - who last played a Test in 2013, and any international cricket in 2014 - and Sean Williams, and fast bowlers Njabulo Ncube and Donald Tiripano.

Several players miss out from the squad that played in Bangladesh, including long-time limited-overs captain Elton Chigumbura (who had stepped down from the role in January this year) and the two younger Masakadza brothers: Shingi and Wellington. Zimbabwe had lost that series 3-0.

Zimbabwe squad for NZ Tests

Graeme Cremer (capt), Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Tino Mawoyo, Peter Moor, Richmond Mutumbami, Taurai Muzarabani, Njabulo Ncube, Donald Tiripano, Sean Williams

THE RETURN OF TAIBU

2016-06-09T03:40:00.000-07:00

The popular narrative is that Tatenda Taibu quit international cricket four years ago because he had seen the light, specifically the light of the Lord. Now he is making a comeback to the game, in an administrative capacity, because he is hoping to to turn some lights on, specifically at the Harare Sports Club (HSC).

Taibu has accepted a role as Zimbabwe Cricket's convener of selectors and development officer, a position he will take up next month, and one of his missions is to install floodlights at the country's premier ground. It may sound like that should be a peripheral priority but Taibu has a compelling reason for putting it near the top of his list. "Most ICC limited-overs events are played under lights and our players don't get any experience of that at home, so they are not used to it at all," he said from the UK, where he has been based for the last few years. "They need to be able to compete in those tournaments."

Given where Zimbabwe cricket is at the moment, that is both a reasonable and realistic aim. Zimbabwe were the only Full Member not to qualify for the last two World T20 main draws. They have won only three matches in their last two 50-over World Cups, all of them against Associates. Given their ranking of 11th in ODI cricket, they cannot even dream of qualifying for the Champions Trophy. So while their absence of a Test ranking is worrying but rectifiable if they play enough matches, the need to do something drastic to improve their limited-overs record is pressing.

Pylons have been up at HSC for years and the lights are also there, having spent months at Harare airport awaiting payment for being released. The only problem is that the lights are not on the pylons. If Taibu can arrange for them to get there, Zimbabwe can start playing day-night cricket, provided ZC has the funds to switch them on. And that would be Taibu's next concern.

A year before he quit the game, Taibu criticised ZC's structures, which included their financials. He stunned the international press by revealing how players did not have contracts and were not paid match fees on the eve of their Test comeback in 2011. Now he admits he does not know whether there is cash in the coffers but he intends to find out as soon as possible. "I don't know anything about the current financial status. I am not involved there but I would like to know so I can get a clearer and better picture," he said. "I'm sure when I get there, I will find out."

That alone should reassure Zimbabwean fans: the knowledge that someone of Taibu's calibre is committed to their cricket. But why now? Since his international retirement, Taibu has been living in the UK. Contrary to popular belief, he has not become a pastor. "When I said I got a calling from the Lord, people thought I was going to start preaching, but I am not a pastor.
"I am just a Christian and I live a Christian life," Taibu said. "If somebody wants me to pray with them or if there are families who want someone to speak to, if I can get an opportunity like that, I will take it because I believe as a Christian, you must be able to touch people's lives and give them hope."

He has also been involved in club cricket a bit as a player-coach-development-officer, for Liverpool second-division side Hightown St Mary's, who he joined in April. He is also working on his autobiography, which is what made him realise that he would have to return to Zimbabwe.
"In writing, I have seen that when I recall an incident from when I was ten years old, for example, then my understanding of the situation is that of a ten-year-old. I need to find people who have a better understanding of those situations," he said. "For that I have to go back to Zimbabwe and talk to people like [former national coach] Stephen Mangongo and [former Under-19 coach] Walter Chawaguta, as well as some of my teachers from primary school and high school."

While Taibu mulled a return to his homeland, he was also in touch with Peter Chingoka, former chairman and an honorary life president of the board, who has urged him to come back to contribute to the game.

In the last month, Taibu decided to take him up, primarily because he believes there is something worth saving in Zimbabwe. "If I didn't see that there was something there, I wouldn't go," Taibu said. "I believe there is something that can be done and I want to do it."

The "something" that needs doing involves rebuilding a cricket culture, which Taibu thinks Zimbabwe has lost, and which he has had experience of creating in Liverpool, where he is also involved in recruitment. "You have to get players involved in the community, get kids from schools to play at clubs, that's how you develop a system," he said.

Replicating that in Zimbabwe will be tricky because even though the country is still home to prestigious sporting schools, the club structures have deteriorated and the domestic franchise system is in trouble. That will make Taibu's task tougher as he aims to deepen the player pool. He intends to take a pragmatic approach to things by analysing what resources are already there, nurturing them and looking for additions.
"My own assessment is there is a negative vibe at the moment. It is quite tough in Zimbabwe - not just in cricket, the country as a whole is struggling. Zimbabwe cricket needs to be treated with a little bit of love for now. There are many areas that need fixing but we will have to fix them one thing at a time.
"We will have to look at the player base and see if there are players around who can eventually replace the ones who are already there. I want to start working with guys at a slightly lower level so that if those players go up to international level, they are at a certain standard already. Otherwise, as a group, they will be under pressure."
Taibu speaks from experience. He was part of the young crop that succeeded the white-player walkout in 2004 and struggled because of inexperience. That bunch of cricketers was also up against an administration that seemed to constantly thwart their efforts - with regular changes in coaching staff, contract disputes, and infrequent fixtures - and Taibu does not want the current crop to endure those difficulties.

He intends to be the bridge between the players and their administrators, and has promised to be upfront with all parties - as he is known to be. "Everyone I have played with and the administrative people who knew me know me as a person who does not beat around the bush. Whether I am liked or disliked, people trust me," he said. "I am trusted by the white community, the black community, the Asian community. Even if we disagree, it's like brothers in a family. There will be fights but you hope that they don't fight in public. They know that's what Tatenda is like and they want to work with someone like that."

Taibu is confident his suggestions will be taken seriously even if they involve reaching out to people ZC has cut ties with, such as former players. "I would definitely want to involve former players but not just them. I want to reach out to anyone who has dealt with Zimbabwe cricket and has knowledge of it. There are lots of people who have worked in the system who have something to contribute."

For now, ZC have engaged the services of two big names from one of their neighbouring countries, South Africa. Makhaya Ntini is the interim head coach and Lance Klusener the batting consultant. Taibu hopes both will stay with the team in some capacity, if only because of their stature and the impact that can have.
"I knew Makhaya very well as a player. During the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka in 2002, I was in my early years and he was struggling to make the South Africa team, so we used to train together on the beach," Taibu remembered. "He definitely has energy and that's something we need in the country. We have to try and create a unique attitude among players so that cricket becomes known for something in Zimbabwe. Something good."

For a while, the good in Zimbabwe cricket was known because of players like Taibu. His dedication and determination provided a boost, and already there is excitement over having that back. There is also an anticipation that, at 33, Taibu may consider a comeback of the playing kind too, especially as Zimbabwe are yet to announce a new Test captain. Those wishing for that will be disappointed. Taibu is adamant that is one light that has been turned off. "That's really gone," he said. "I have closed the door on coming back to play."

First published by ESPNcricinfo

ZC APPOINT NTINI

2016-05-11T03:20:00.000-07:00

Former South African bowler Makhaya Ntini has been appointed on a two-year contract as assistant national team coach in charge of bowling, with effect from the 16^th of next month. The former bowling coach, Douglas Hondo, has been re-assigned to the Zimbabwe A team.

Ntini, aged 38, had an illustrious playing career for South Africa, rising from being a product of the then United Cricket Board’s development programme to becoming the country’s first black African international cricketer. In 2003, he became the first South African to take 10 wickets in a Test match at the hallowed Lord’s ground in England. In 2008, he claimed 13 wickets for 132 runs in Test match against the West Indies – the best figures ever by a South African in that format of the game.

Ntini retired from international cricket in 2010, after playing 101 Test matches, 173 One-Day International (ODI) and 10 Twenty20 International matches for South Africa.

INDIA ANNOUNCES TEAM TO TOUR ZIM

2015-06-29T06:25:00.001-07:00

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today announced Indian Cricket team for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour.

Ajinkya Rahane will be the captain of the team for this tour. The other players are: Murali Vijay, Ambati Rayudu, Manoj Tiwary, Kedar Jadhav, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Harbhajan Singh, Axar Patel, Karan Sharma, Dhawal Kulkarni, Stuart Binny, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma.

Senior players like captain M S Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin rested. The Indian cricket team will tour Zimbabwe for three One-Day Internationals (ODI) and two Twenty20 Internationals.

BCCI All-India Senior Selection Committee today met to select the teams for the forthcoming tour which commences on July 10. The committee also selected the India A team that will participate in a tri-series against Australia A and South Africa A to be held in Chennai and Wayanad from July 19.

ZIFA ORDERS UHURU FINAL REPLAY

2015-04-21T09:56:00.001-07:00

Zimbabwe Football Association has committed to order a replay for the ill-fated 2015 Independence Cup final between FC Platinum and Dynamos.

ZIFA Spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela said in a statement the 90 minute rematch will be played at Rufaro Stadium on Wednesday 13 May 2015 and fans will have to pay their way into Rufaro to witness the titanic Uhuru final.

This is a new game altogether and it will be played for a full 90 minutes. Consequently, the 1-0 position in favour of Dynamos obtained prior to the premature end of the match is hereby nullified. Rest of the ground: $2, Upper Grand Stand: $5, Very Important Persons: $10.

ZIMBABWE TO PLAY IN CSA AFRICA T20

2015-04-21T09:53:00.001-07:00

Cricket South Africa (CSA) today launched the 16-team Africa T20 Cup which will be the African curtain-raiser to the 2015-16 season.

Zimbabwe, Kenya and Namibia have accepted invitations to compete in the event with the other participants being the 12 CSA Affiliates as well as Associate Member, KZN Inland.

The tournament will be a World Cup-style competition, consisting of four pools of four teams each with the winners of each pool advancing to the semi-finals and eventually to the final.

Easterns (Sahara Willowmoore Park), North West (Senwes Park), Griquas (Diamond Oval) and Free State (Mangaung Oval) will be the venues for the four pool matches and some of these venues will also host the semi-final and final depending on which teams advance and based on an assessment of the quality of venue hosting during the pool stages. The tournament will run from September 4 to October 4.

Pool A	Pool B	Pool C	Pool D
Sahara Willowmoore Park	Senwes Park	Diamond Oval	Mangaung Oval
4-6 September	11-13 September	18-20 September	25-27 September
Easterns	North West	Griquas	Free State
Northerns	KZN Inland	Namibia	SWD
Zimbabwe	Border	KZN	Gauteng
Western Province	Boland	Eastern Province	Kenya

MADINDA NDLOVU QUITS ROLLERS

2015-04-21T09:48:00.005-07:00

Madinda Ndlovu has resigned as head coach of Botswana side Township Rollers. Ndlovu lost the Mascom Top 8 final at the weekend to fellow Zimbabwean Rahman Gumbo and was not happy with the way his team lost ,disputing a penalty awarded to Gaborone United.

Madinda has had a frustful spell at Rollers leading them to the league title last season. He had won two previous league titles with Mochudi Chiefs before moving to Township Rollers.

A statement from the club read: Township Rollers FC Management confirms that Coach Madinda Ndlovu has tendered his resignation as the Head Coach of Township Rollers FC today (21st April 2015). He has given a notice to serve the remainder of his contract. The management further advises that Mr Mogomotsi Teenage Mpote has been assigned the full responsibility of coaching the team till the end of the season, and to give the full control of the team, the management has agreed to release Coach Madinda Ndlovu with immediate effect.
www.godfreykoti.blogspot.com

AFCON NEWS: SA MAKE CHANGES FOR SENEGAL TIE

2015-01-23T05:08:00.001-08:00

Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim Shakes Mashaba has made two changes to the starting 11 that will take on Senegal in the second match of the Caf Orange Africa Cup of Nations Equatorial Guinea 2015 tournament.
Senegal and South Africa clash on Friday, 23 January at Stade de Mongomo. Kick-off is at 8pm local time (9pm SA time).

Jackson Mabokgwane will start in goals in place of Darren Keet who played against Algeria in the opening match which Bafana Bafana lost 1-3.

Playing in front of Mabokgwane will be the back four of Anele Ngcongca at right-back, Thabo Matlaba at left-back as well as the central defence pairing of Erick Mathoho and Thulani Hlatshwayo.
Mathoho returns after a one-match suspension following two yellow cards accumulated in the qualifying stages of the tournament. He takes the place of Rivaldo Coetzee who is not in the match day squad due to a knee injury sustained in the match against Algeria.
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ANDY FLOWER LEAVES HIS POST AS ENGLAND COACH AFTER DISASTROUS ASHES TOUR

2014-01-31T07:58:00.000-08:00

Exclusive: Andy Flower loses job as England coach but will stay on in some capacity in the coaching structure, following Paul Downton's review of disastrous Ashes tour to Australia.

Andy Flower has paid the price for England’s Ashes humiliation and has stood down as England team director as Paul Downton begins his shake up of England cricket.

Flower could also be soon joined by Kevin Pietersen, whose long term future with the England team is also on the line and will be decided this weekend by Downton, who only officially starts his job as the new managing director on Feb 2.

Downton met both men this week and the news of Flower’s departure will be confirmed by the ECB after Telegraph Sport this morning broke news of the decision to end his reign.

It has become increasingly clear to the ECB and Flower that the split coaching role was not working and they had to unite the one-day and Test teams under the control of one man. Ashley Giles now has a golden opportunity to convince Downton he can replace Flower on a permanent basis when he leads the team in the West Indies next month and at the World Twenty20.

GARY BALLANCE CONFIDENT OF HANDLING MITCHELL JOHNSON

2014-01-16T10:06:00.000-08:00

England batsman Gary Ballance is confident he can handle Mitchell Johnson when the Ashes man of the series returns for the second one-day international in Brisbane.

Ballance was given a baptism of fire when he made his Test debut in the final Ashes Test against a rampant Johnson earlier this month.

The Australia left-armer finished the series with 37 wickets and was promptly handed a 10-day break to refresh himself for the end of England's troubled tour.

Johnson - who has shaved off his handlebar moustache during his time away - has vowed to resume his short-pitched assault at the Gabba on Friday.

But after seeing first hand what Johnson is capable of, Ballance - who has hit half-centuries in his past two innings - not only believes he can fight fire with fire, but indicated he has faced quicker bowlers in county cricket.

"He bowls at a decent pace but I felt like I could handle it all right," he said.

Asked if he was the quickest bowler he had faced, the left-hander added: "There are a few quick bowlers around; (Tymal) Mills from Essex is quick.

"He's got good pace. We are going to work on it (handling Johnson's speed)."

While Johnson's threat is obvious, Ballance is wary of worrying too much about one man, after Australia's seam attack proved their quality at the MCG.

Clint McKay is Australia's reigning ODI player of the year while Nathan Coulter-Nile and James Pattinson are not far behind Johnson on the speed gun.

"They have a good bowling attack and we have to be ready to face all of them," Ballance said.

"He's had a good Test series but we are ready to face him and the rest of their bowlers."

While Ballance knows what to expects from Johnson, England's middle order will front him for the first time this winter.

Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara and Jos Buttler - the key to England's game-plan to accelerate in the late overs - were all not involved in the Ashes.

Ballance is confident they will be able to handle anything Johnson, or Australia's attack, muster on a Gabba pitch suited to the quicks.

"I think most of the guys have faced him, back home in the one-day series then in the Test series," he said.

"Everyone will expect what's coming."

Ballance is one of England's form batsmen after he followed his 79 in the series opener in Melbourne with another half-century in the morale-booting 172-run win over a Prime Minister's XI on Tuesday.

The left-hander is not yet a permanent fixture in England's line-up, but he is feeling more comfortable. "Yeah, I feel good," he said. "I've spent a bit of time in the middle, got a decent score in the first game then to get another fifty was good.

"I've got a bit of confidence and now need to take that into the next game.

"I feel a bit more comfortable. It helps getting a few decent scores. There are a lot of good players around so have to keep working hard and try to make that place my own."

With England team director Andy Flower preparing to begin a "new era" following the Ashes whitewash, positions may become open for the likes of Ballance - the leading run-scorer in the LV= County Championship first division last season - to push their claims.

The Yorkshire batsman is aware of the implications of a good run before heading home at the end of this ODI series.

"Definitely (this is a big series)," he said. "I've had my first few games now and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

"I'm trying to take each game at a time, get myself in and try to get runs."

Victory against the PM's XI in Canberra ended a two-month winless stretch since arriving Down Under, although success over Australia remains on the to-do list.

Ballance hopes the confidence gained in Australia's capital can help turn fortunes around, admitting England can hardly afford to slip 2-0 behind in a five-game series.

"It's nice to get a win after a few losses, especially the first ODI," he said.

"It's very important to get a win. Going down 1-0 wasn't what we wanted. We've got to come back strong tomorrow."

BOB 90 SUPER CUP LAUNCHED WITH DYNAMOS IN THE FINAL ALREADY

2014-01-15T09:11:00.001-08:00

The organizing committee of the Bob90 Super Cup held a Press Briefing in Harare and it has been confirmed that only three teams will participate in the tournament according to organizing committee's Director of Public Relations, Charles Mabika.

Holders Dynamos received a bye and will only feature in the Final. Bosso and the Sunshine City Boys will battle it out at Barbourfields in the only semi final of the tournament on the 15th of February and with the winner meeting Dynamos on the 23rd at Rufaro.

STAR FM's Howard Musonza was at the launch where he spoke the Tournament Director of PR, Charles Mabika who he first asked if the organizers are simply finding ways to accommodate the Harare giants who have featured in this tournament since its inception in 2011.

Mabika defended the decision saying its was not about Dynamos but about form and winning matches. Its not about Dynamos its about form, if Monomotapa had won the tournament last year and were relegated they would still have had a bye and played in the Final" he said.

GOROWA DEFENDS BLUNT STRIKEFORCE AHEAD OF UGANDA TIE

2014-01-15T01:32:00.003-08:00

The Warriors will be playing Uganda tomorrow in their second Group B game at the African Nations Championship in Cape Town. Zimbabwe opened their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Morocco, and we could have got all 3 points if the strikers had been more accurate.

However, Warriors coach Ian Gorowa says that he is convinced that he assembled the strongest possible squad for the tournament, which is for locally-based players only. Gorowa believes the only missing striker is Tendai Ndoro who was ineligible as he is now in the Absa Premiership while CHAN is exclusively for those playing in their respective countries’ domestic leagues.

"Remember these are the best players we selected from Zimbabwe. We chose the best 23 in my opinion, in the technical team’s opinion and obviously out of the best (23) players you’ve got to have the best 11 and I thought in terms of that we did what we had to do against Morocco,” said Gorowa.
“In coming up with the squad I also looked at the goalscorers’ chart and Tendai Ndoro was the top goalscorer but he is not here and that is the case.

“I do not know who was the second and third but remember we were working with Donald for a long time, we were working with Nelson for a long time, Simba also, I think he came to the party.
“With experience and what we have, I thought this is the best striking options which we have.
“Any other options I think we would be experimenting. There were some players, for example one who was playing for Buffaloes and scoring goals, but I don’t think he’s that kind of player which we would want.

“So for me these are the best options we have going forward.”
The Warriors gaffer also ruled out making big changes to the starting eleven.

FLOWER REFUSES TO COMMIT TO ENGLAND FUTURE

2013-12-17T23:35:00.001-08:00

Former Zimbabwe captain, now England coach Andy Flower refused to comment on his future following the loss of the Ashes series in Australia. A third successive win saw Australia take the urn for the first time since 2007, with two matches still to play.

"We have Two tests and I am hungry to do well in those," Flower said. "That's as far as I am looking at the moment. We need to decide whether we're merely focusing on these two games or looking further and exposing other players but we haven't had those meetings yet."

England had won three successive Ashes series under Flower, who was appointed full-time team director in 2009. The 45-year-old Zimbabwean said no rash decisions would be made and added: "I want to meet with our coaches, I need to meet with [England captain] Alastair Cook. I need to meet with the selectors as well and we'll get some clarity on those issues. I'm always very hungry to deliver my best as part of the England cricket group, and that hunger does not dissipate at all."

England head to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG with supporters fearing a repeat of the 2006-07 series in which they were whitewashed 5-0 during the reign of Duncan Fletcher.
Following that series Fletcher continued in the role before resigning after the 2007 World Cup when England finished fifth in the Super Eight phase and were unable to qualify for the semi-finals.

Flower added: "My desire now is to prepare this team for Melbourne and [the final Test starting on 3 January in] Sydney and ensure we are competing to win those Test matches.
"I don't really want to look too much further than that because I think my responsibility is to focus on those two games."

DRIVETIME SPORTS ON STAR FM WITH CHIEF KOTI

2013-12-17T06:52:00.001-08:00

WARRIORS GET KIT SPONSORSHIP

Zimbabwe National team went into camp lastnight for final preparations of the 2014 edition of the CAfrican Nations Championship, which begins on the 11 of next month . The team will this afternoon get a boost as kit giants Umbro will be presenting their kit sponsorship to the team in Harare at ZIFA President's offices. Representing the sponsors was Sales Manager at Umbro South Africa. Donovan Bell while the Warriors Gaffer Ian Gorowa was at the handover with three of his troops, defender Patson Jaure, goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube and midfielder Masimba Mambare.

You can hear the interviews on Star FM's Daily Sports Zone at 18:05hrs.

www.starfm.co.zw

CRICKETERS CONTINUE WITH STRIKE
Senior cricket Players continue with the strike as Zimbabwe Cricket fails to meet their financial demands. There has been no action at match centers so far were the Mid West Rhinos play against Southern Rocks at Kwekwe Sports Club and Mountaineers v Mashonaland Eagles at Mutare Sports Club.

OTC spoke to some of the players this morning and they have maintained that they wont change their stance until ZC comes good on their promise to pay them the owed salaries. "We are not playing until these people pay us what is due"said one senior batter in the national team set up.

"We know the issues going on with the banks with regards the liquidity crises but we wont take such excuses either. We will patiently wait for them to make a plan for our money" said another senior player in a telephone interview.

AC Milan star Gennaro Gattuso investigated for match fixing

Former AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is being investigated for match-fixing, Associated Press reports.

Four other people have been detained in connection with the alleged fixing of matches in Serie A three seasons ago.Ex-Rangers star Gattuso, 35, is retired and was sacked by Serie B side Palermo after just six league games as manager. He won two Serie A titles and two Champions League crowns during his 13-year spell with Milan and also the 2006 World Cup with Italy in Germany.
Gattuso took charge of Palermo in the summer after being sacked by Swiss side Sion but won just two games and has been replaced by Giuseppe Iachini.Cremona prosecutor Roberto Di Martino told AP that Gattuso and retired Milan and Lazio player Cristian Brocchi were allegedly part of a group that fixed Serie A and other matches at the end of the 2010-11 season.A wide-ranging criminal and sporting probe into illegal betting and match fixing in Italy has already led to several arrests and bans.
Juventus manager Antonio Conte was suspended for 10 months for not reporting match fixing when he was in charge of Siena, then in Serie B, in the 2010-11 season.

Former Lazio captains Giuseppe Signori and Stefano Mauri, as well as ex-Atalanta captain Cristiano Doni also served bans with several clubs having points deducted.

2013-12-16T09:17:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the issues Howard Musonza and I (Chief Koti) discused on tonight's edition of the Daily Sports Zone on Star FM at 18:05hrs.
www.starfm.co.zw

FOOTBALL MATTERS
WARRIORS GET INTO CAMP TONIGHT
The Warriors technical team has named the squad for the CHAN games in SA early next year. The players are expected to go into camp tonight and will begin preparations tomorrow. The tournament kick offs on the 11th of January and Zimbabwe are planning to have one more friendly against Gabon on the 7th of January. Zimbabwe who will be making their 3rd appearance have been drawn alongside, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Uganda and will play their matches at Cape Town's Newlands Stadium.

Goalkeepers: George Chigova, Maxwell Nyamupangedengu, Tafadzwa Dube, Munyaradzi Diya
Defenders: Oscar Machapa, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Augustine Mbara, Themba Ndlovu, Partson Jaure, Eric Chipeta, Felix Chindungwe
Midfielders: Danny Phiri, Pascal Manhanga, Frankson Bushire, Wonder Kapinda, Charles Sibanda, Tawanda Muparati, Silas Songani, Masimba Mambare, Kuda Mahachi, Ali Sadiki, Peter Moyo
Strikers: Simba Sithole (Dynamos), Simba Sithole (How Mine), Lot Chiwunga , Misheck Mburayi

LAST NIGHT, was the initial deadline for Dynamos and How Mine to register their squads with the Confederation of African Football for the 2014 continental competitions. Dynamos will play in the CAF Champions League with How Mine playing in the second-tier CAF Confederation Cup. Kenny Mubaiwa says they managed to register 26 players yesterday while Howmine Chairman, Mlondolozi Nkomo said they met the deadline yesterday but they are hoping to add more players to their 26 men squad submitted late last night.

IN CRICKET, MOUNTAINEERS UNLIKELY TO FIELD A SIDE TOMORROW
Mountaineers captain and National team batsman, Tino Mawoyo says they will not play until they are paid what is due to them. Mountaineers is set to do battle with the Mash Eagles at Mutare Sports Club tomorrow in their Logan Cup opening match. The Mashonaland Eagles travelled to Mutare with a squad of rookies but the hosts the Mountaineers failed to field a side and the Eagles had a walkover. "All l can say to you Chief is we are not playing until we are paid what is due to u, you can call a little later as Im about to enter into a meeting" he said.
Meanwhile ZC issued a statement saying "Going into the weekend, the Zimbabwe Cricket managing director, Mr Wilfred Mukondiwa, held a meeting with national team captain Brendan Taylor and some other senior players. He told them the plans underway to secure their salaries. Given the progress ZC had made then to get the money, the expectation was that the players’ salaries would be deposited into their accounts tomorrow (Tuesday the 17th of December, 2013) and the players were informed accordingly. Against that background, management went into the weekend expecting that the players would turn out for their matches. Because we remain in discussion with financial institutions over the player salaries, we are unable to actually provide guarantees of specific dates except expectations – which expected dates may not be met if negotiations take longer."

INTERNATIONAL
The draw for the UEFA Champions League knock out phase has been made and will see some potentially explosive games with Barca meeting Man City and Bayern Munich meeting Arsenal.
UEFA Champions League draw:
Barcelona v Manchester City
Arsenal v Bayern Munich
Manchester United v Olympiakos
AC Milan v Atletico Madrid
PSG V Bayern Leverkusen
Chelsea v Galatasary
Real Madrid v Scalke FC
Zenit Petersburg v Borussia Dortmund

The first legs are set to be played on 18/19 and 25/26 February and the return matches on 11/12 and 18/19 March.
JOIN THE DISCUSSIONS FOLLOW CHIEF KOTI ON TWITTER & FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK
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2013-12-16T04:47:00.002-08:00

Tottenham have sacked manager Andre Villas-Boas in the wake of Sunday's 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool. The defeat was the club's worst at White Hart Lane in 16 years and left Spurs seventh in the Premier League - eight points behind leaders Arsenal. Villas-Boas, 36, took over at Tottenham in July 2012.

"The club can announce that agreement has been reached with head coach Andre Villas-Boas for the termination of his services," said a Spurs statement."The decision was by mutual consent and in the interests of all parties."Villas-Boas was dismissed by Chelsea in March 2012 after just over eight months in charge at Stamford Bridge, and he was hoping to rebuild his reputation at Tottenham,
But he had come under increasing pressure in recent weeks as his side struggled to keep pace with the top four in the league.

His side lost 6-0 to Manchester City on 24 November and, despite a draw against Manchester United and wins at Fulham and Sunderland, the defeat by Liverpool proved the final straw for the Spurs hierarchy.Villas-Boas said he would not "resign" as he was not a "quitter" after the loss to the Reds but, after being summoned to a meeting with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy on Sunday, his future was taken out of his hands.

"We wish Andre well for the future," added the Spurs statement. "We shall make a further announcement in due course."The early names being linked with replacing the Portuguese include current Russia boss and former England manager Fabio Capello, ex-Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo, Swansea boss Michael Laudrup and Tottenham's current technical director Franco Baldini.
Former Tottenham playmaker and ex-England boss Glenn Hoddle has also been mentioned as a contender.

Former Spurs striker and BBC presenter Gary Lineker tweeted: "Would love to see Glenn Hoddle given another chance at this level. Has a brilliant football mind."Italian Baldini, 53, helped oversee the club's transfer dealings during last summer when the club had to contend with the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid for a world record £85.3m.

Bale scored 21 goals last season as Spurs finished a point behind fourth-placed Arsenal to miss out on Champions League qualification.Tottenham recruited Paulinho, Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chadli, Etienne Capoue, Christian Eriksen, Vlad Chiriches and Erik Lamela with the money from the sale of the Wales international but the team has been unconvincing so far this season.
Villas-Boas had only managed one win from his previous six home league games, with his side scoring just 15 goals in 16 top-flight matches.

First published by bbc.com

KANGWA SET TO DOMINATE HIGHLANDERS AWARDS

2013-12-16T04:32:00.001-08:00

Highlanders will be honouring players who excelled in the 2013 season on a day yet to be announced. The club executive is likely to consult its sponsors who include top tare partners BancABC among others.The team had a brilliant campaign before losing the title to bitter rivals Dynamos by a superior goal difference.

Bosso’s left-back Bruce Kangwa, who had a fabulous season is likely to dominate the Highlanders awards. After missing out on this year’s Castle Lager soccer star finalists due to the dreaded six yellow cards rule. Kangwa’s misery with the league’s sponsors awards started last year where he had a formidable season, but missed out when Highlanders dominated the awards with four players — skipper Innocent Mapuranga, Masimba Mambare, Erick Mudzingwa and goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda made it into the calendar.

The attacking midfielder-turned left-back has been influential at Bosso both in defence and in attack as a wing-back, building up raids from his flank to combine well with left linkman Milton Ncube, a combination which produced a number of important goals for Highlanders.
Kangwa has been good in attack, where he was introduced at Highlanders by Madinda Ndlovu together with Rahman Kutsanzira and has been equally good on recovery to launch raids upfront aided by his love for speed.

The Bosso speed king is definitely tipped to dominate the club awards, this after he was voted most improved player last season. Mudzingwa, hampered by injury this year which saw him on the sidelines, dominated last year’s awards, picking up two accolades, the most consistent player and the players’ player of the year awards on a year the player of the year award went to Masimba Mambare.
Mudzingwa walked away with $4 250 for his respective awards last year while Mambare picked up a cool $5 000, courtesy of BancABC.

Shotstopper Sibanda picked up $1 250 for being the most disciplined player, but both him and Mudzingwa like Kangwa, do not be feature in this year’s Castle Lager soccer stars list.
Another player who might prove a big challenge to Kangwa in the club awards is goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya, who wrested the number one jersey from Sibanda and became the darling of the multitudes of Highlanders supporters.

This year’s top goalscorer award goes to veteran Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube while central defender Dumisani “Fazo” Ndlovu, who ended the season nursing an injury, is tipped to win the most improved player award. Youthful Gabriel Nyoni, in his debut season with the Bulawayo giants, a club that he joined in mid-season, is tipped to win the most promising player and goal of the season awards.

Highlanders’ treasurer Jerry Sibanda on Friday said they were still waiting to get a nod from sponsors BancABC before the date for the awards is announced. “We are still waiting for our sponsors. There are still one or two things that we have to finalise, but the awards will probably be held next Friday,” Sibanda said.

GOOD TIMES AT ZIM RUGBY

2013-11-19T02:53:00.004-08:00

The Zimbabwe rugby team, the Sables have moved two places up the International Rugby Board (IRB) rankings released by the world rugby governing body on Monday.

The Sables moved into the top 30 of the IRB rankings following participation in the tri-nations rugby tournament in Namibia. The Sables, who were ranked 32nd now occupy position 30. Zimbabwe played Namibia and lost 35-26, before bouncing back against Kenya, where they posted a 29-14 victory.

My opinion on this is that this has given Namibia, Kenya and Madagascar the necessary message as far as the qualification of the IRB 2015 World Cup is concerned. The team has done very well even if we lost to the less fashionable but formidable Namibians. Our players have come of age, look at the way captain Daniel Hondo, the experienced flanker Jacques Leitao and Loose-head prop Kevin Nqindi played in that invitational tourney. Its encouraging indeed let us see what the future actually holds for us.
I spoke to Zimbabwe Rugby Union's newly appointed Technical Director Liam Middleton who said the improvement on the rankings was a welcome development. "It's a great opportunity for us to actually work harder on the way we play. The ultimate goal still remains we would like to be at a better place in the future however our immediate goal is to establish a definitive style of play as a team" he said.

Following their participation in Namibia, the Sables will now be focused on the 2015 World Cup qualifiers.

MEANWHILE
In a statement from Zimbabwe Rugby Union

Zimbabwe's premier domestic 7s series continues this Saturday at Harare Sports Club, with the best club teams in the country qualifying for the 2nd leg of the 7s Series. After hosting all the Northern based clubs in the country in Harare on Friday night (15/11) and all the Southern based clubs in Bulawayo on Saturday (16/11), the best performing clubs have qualified for both the 2nd and 3rd legs of the 7s series.

On Friday night, in Harare, the defending champions- Old Georgians continued their winning ways, with a win over rivals Harare Sports Club in the final of the 1st leg of the tournament. Old Hararians and Dragons II (Old Georgians development team) as losing semi-finalists also qualify for the 2nd leg of the tournament.

In Bulawayo, the Western Panthers were very impressive in their win over the Matabeleland Warriors in the semi final and the Zvish Bulls in the final, to complete a memorable day in their club's development. The other qualifying team were the losing finalists of the Southern based club tournament- Zvish Bulls. Again the Zvish Bulls were equally impressive with a win over Botswana University in the semi final.

Completing the roster of mens teams to participate in the 2nd leg of the SPAR & Lion Lager Summer Series is 2 barbarians sides. These 2 sides will be made up of the most talented players from the Northern and Southern clubs, who did not qualify as a club for the tournament.

Zimbabwe Rugby will also host a 4 team ladies event and a 4 team development tournament at Harare Sports Club on Saturday. Action starts at 10am, entrance to the ground is $2.

Mens teams playing in the SPAR & Lion Lager Summer Series:

- Old Georgians I

- Harare Sports Club

- Old Hararians

- Old Georgians II

- Panthers

- Zvish Bulls

- Northern Barbarians

- Southern Barbarians

Ladies teams playing in the SPAR & Lion Lager Summer Series:

- Harare Sports Club

- Old Hararians

- Police

- Bulawayo Select

Zim provide soundbite

2013-10-21T06:04:00.000-07:00

ON the fourth day of the first cricket Test between Pakistan and South Africa, in Abu Dhabi yesterday, Zimbabwe was a name frequently mentioned by the commentators and studio panelists. As the hosts knitted their impressive seven-wicket win over the Proteas, to end the world number one ranked Test nation’s 15-match unbeaten run, focus kept shifting to a team that wasn’t even in this contest.
Zimbabwe haven’t played a Test match since that sensational 24-run victory over Pakistan at Harare Sports Club last month but given the way that their victory shook the world, against the background of the events that were shaping up in Abu Dhabi yesterday, it was inevitable that Andy Waller and his men would pop back into the spotlight.
There were questions, and lots of them.
How could a Pakistan team that had crashed to that stunning loss at the hands of minnows Zimbabwe, just a month ago, suddenly find the life to beat a South African team that was unbeaten in 15 Test matches leading into this contest?
How could a captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, whose leadership of the team had been called into question following the events in Harare, suddenly find the strength not only to rally his troops but also score a century in guiding them to a superb victory over the best Test team in the world?
How could a team that had struggled against an attack that featured the likes of Tendai Chatara, Tinashe Panyangara, Shingi Masakadza and Brian Vitori, that bowling attack which everyone said would be hopeless without Kyle Jarvis, suddenly find a way to handle Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel?
How could a Pakistan team that lost the first 11 sessions, in the first Test against Zimbabwe, and rode a number of close calls before winning the final two sessions on day four, in defining game-changing fashion, and then pressing their advantage on the final day to win, suddenly handle the all-round excellence of the Proteas? Surely, a team that conceded a 78-run deficit to Zimbabwe in that first Test, after scoring only 249 in their first innings, couldn’t be expected to stand the heat against a Proteas team that ranked among the finest Test sides in the history of the game?
But, it soon became apparent, as the drama unfolded in Abu Dhabi, that maybe the Zimbabwe cricketers had not received their due credit, with all the focus seemingly falling on how Pakistan had failed in that decisive second Test, rather than on how Waller’s men had applied themselves.

Pommie Mbwanga, the anchor of the SuperSport studio discussion on the first Test between Pakistan and South Africa, bowled it right on the money when he told his guests that maybe the focus was too much on the weaknesses of the losing side, as was the case with Pakistan in Zimbabwe, rather than the strength of the winners. While there was consensus during that live discussion that the Proteas might have suffered from a prolonged period of inactivity on the Test cricket scene, and some of their big-name players could have been rusty for this encounter, there was an admission that “losing to a team that has just lost to Zimbabwe will be very painful.” Chishty Mujahid, the legendary Pakistan cricket commentator who has covered his national team for more than 40 years and was part of the crew covering the Test against South Africa, also spoke about that loss in Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe had no reason to beat Pakistan, Pakistan had no reason to lose to Zimbabwe if you look at both sides, their record, their players, it was a wake-up call for everyone, selectors, the management and the players,” said Mujahid.
“There was a lot of criticism from the fans, the media.”
Last month Mujahid told Pak.Passion.net that he felt Zimbabwe should be given due credit for the way they fought in the two Tests.
“The young pace battery of the Zimbabweans which comprises Tendai Chatara, Brian Vitori and Panyangara stuck to the basics — line and length, outside the off-stump, fourth, fifth and sixth stump — and in the end the batsmen did play and make a mistake,” he said.
“The Zimbabweans didn’t field as they usually field, but they improved in the second Test match when compared to the first. Pakistan’s problem, as I said earlier, was their batting. That is where it went wrong.
“The Zimbabweans, of course, had a point to prove and they did. So what’s the hue and cry about? I don’t see any reason for that. What we should say is simply ‘Well done Zimbabwe and commiserations Pakistan.’
“All said and done, it is a simple fact that Zimbabwe played well and I went and congratulated the head of Zimbabwean Cricket, Peter Chingoka, on his team’s fine display.”
Brendan Taylor said his team was a transformed side, which didn’t give as much credit as they deserve, and they were full value for their draw in the series against Pakistan.
“We’ve matured very quickly. We’re a lot more professional with what we have to do,” Taylor said.
“In the first Test, when we lost a session, we lost a session badly. But this time, we were a lot more consistent.”
For now, the world can only wonder how mighty South Africa were beaten, in four days, “a team that had just lost to Zimbabwe.”
Predictably, the post-mortem will largely centre around what the Proteas did wrong, and not what their opponents did right, just as was the case last month when the noise from Pakistan was about where their team came short rather than giving Zimbabwe its due credit for a victory it deserved.

The article was first published by The Herald

ICC extends Bangladesh's World T20 venue deadline to Nov 30

2013-10-21T05:57:00.002-07:00

The ICC has accepted the Bangladesh Cricket Board's request to extend the deadline for the readying of its stadiums for the 2014 World Twenty20 to November 30. The ICC Development International (IDI) board took the decision after reviewing a report on the condition of the venues, put together by the ICC venue consultant.

The main issue is with the stadiums at Sylhet and Cox's Bazar, which are still being developed. An ICC team visited the venues last week. The Sylhet stadium's pavilion, the biggest reason for all the delay, is close to completion, with the structure in place, and the press box also almost complete.

The original deadline for the completion of the stadiums was September 30. BCB president Nazmul Hasan had said in August that he had "no doubt that the construction work will end by mid-October". The tournament is scheduled to be played between March 16 and April 6 next year.

Now, sources in the BCB have said it plans to finish the work by the first week of November, and host Indian state side Maharashtra at the ground to judge its readiness. Maharashtra Cricket Association president Ajay Shirke, however, said "no such proposal is in the pipeline". But Maharashtra have a break in first-class Ranji Trophy between October 30 and November 14, and given the association's severe cash crunch due to its ongoing dispute with Indian company Sahara Pariwar over title rights of the new stadium on the outskirts of Pune, it may agree to send over a team if all expenses are borne by the hosts.

While the BCB has been given more time by the ICC to complete work on the stadiums, the schedule for the tournament will be announced in Dhaka on October 27. These decisions were taken at the ICC board meeting in London, on October 18 and 19.

The other major decision taken at the meeting was with regard to the ICC's anti-corruption code. A revised version of the code, which an ICC release termed "more robust and strengthened" will be submitted for discussion at the board's next meeting, in January 2014. The matter of Mohammad Amir's ban, which the PCB is looking to get reduced, will be discussed only after the new anti-corruption code is finalised, the ICC said.

The board also decided to maintain the current playing conditions for ODI cricket, bad light and the DRS.

An ICC chairman will be appointed and take over only after the board's annual conference in 2014, the ICC release said. The post of ICC's chairman was first adopted in 2012 and will turn the role of the ICC president into a ceremonial one while vesting executive powers in a new chairman. It is understood that the BCCI and ECB are seeking a dilution of power to be exercised by the new chairman, and prefer that his role be reduced from head of executive office in the ICC to that of a convenor.

The ICC board also approved an increase in the financial assistance provided to Afghanistan, through its Targeted Assistance Performance Programme (TAPP), to US$ 1.1m. This move was prompted by Afghanistan's qualification for the 2015 World Cup.

The 2014 Under-19 World Cup will be played in the UAE, from February 14 to March 1, the board confirmed.

ZIMBABWE CRICKET CONFIRM AFGHANISTAN INTEREST

2013-10-16T07:54:00.001-07:00

ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) has confirmed that the national cricket team could play against Afghanistan as part of their preparations for the International Cricket Council World Twenty20 tournament in Bangladesh early next year.

This follows comments by the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s (ACB) chief executive Noor Mohammad Murad that the rising cricket nation which recently qualified for its first World Cup had approached Zimbabwe for a one-day series in the next few months.

“Indeed, we are exploring the possibility of Afghanistan touring Zimbabwe,” ZC’s media and communications manager Lovemore Banda told NewsDay Sport yesterday.

“Zimbabwe Cricket would welcome the tour for two reasons. One it would come in as part of our preparations for the International Cricket Council World Twenty20 tournament in Bangladesh early next year.

“Secondly, as a Full Member of the ICC, we are fully behind the organisation’s (ICC’s) objective of growing the game globally through tours between the FMCs and the Associates such as Afghanistan.”

Following the cancellation of the tour by Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe do not have any international cricket this year and their next assignment will be the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh.

The positive response by Zimbabwe Cricket will be a huge boost for the ACB chief, Murad who on Saturday took a swipe at the traditional Asian cricket powers for failing to help the team over the past years.

Murad said India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh had all failed to respond to his requests to set up games. Afghanistan took a further step in a remarkable rise by qualifying for their first World Cup courtesy of a crushing win over Kenya recently.

Afghanistan only became an International Cricket Council affiliate member in 2001 and were granted associate status this year on the back on successive appearances at the World Twenty20.

But a place at the 50-over showpiece event, to be staged by Australia and New Zealand in 2015, is a new high for the nation