Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe cancelled

HARARE: Disappointment all around as Afghanistan’s tour cancelled as Zimbabwe in funds crises to hold the series despite the Afghans bearing responsibilities for their own expenses. Zimbabwe’s effort to play the series in Bangladesh also failed as their country’s economic woes deepen while domestic players on strike.

Sources close to Zimbabwean cricket states Zimbabwe had to cancel Afghanistan’s tour because their demands of domestic cricket is too much to bear the tour. Their domestic players have been on strike since last month as they haven’t been paid their wages yet as a result there won’t be any first class matches at all, unless they are paid.

Earlier, Zimbabwe cancelled Sri Lanka’s tour as well due to lack of funds. Now, they are dependent on yet another ICC’s loan to bail out the troubled nation from the turmoil.

It is remarkable to see a test nation in such a complicated financial turmoil that cannot even afford to host an associate nation despite the visitors bearing the responsibility for their own expenses.

An Afghan-Zimbabwe series would have offered an ideal set of warm up matches for both countries ahead of the world cup, which is just around the corner.

Earlier, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) had already accepted that they would deal with their own expenses in order to minimize Zimbabwe’s financial burden.

However, Zimbabwe still could not fund themselves as their cricket has been in a turmoil along with their country for a long time. This is far worse for Zimbabwe than the visitors.

The T20 World Cup Bangladesh 2014 begins next month while the last time Zimbabwe played was against Pakistan a good few months ago. For any country to not play cricket ahead of such a major cricketing global event is an enormous gamble and an inconsiderate attitude.

The Zimbabwean cricket must come to their senses before it’s too late for them. It took them a long time to get back on their feet after their previous disaster, but this time it could have a devastating effect on their cricketing status if they continue to slumber.

On the other hand, Afghanistan is going from strength to strength on and off the cricket field. The ACC [Asian Cricket Council] allowed Afghanistan to participate in this year’s Asia Cup as a fifth team amid world cup’s preparation.

They will also be heading for either Pakistan or India to have cricketing camps in order to prepare for the world cups accordingly.

There are even rumours that ACB will sign either the “wall of India”, Rahul Dravid or the Pakistan test specialist, Younas Khan, as their batting coach to help them prepare in that department.

Furthermore, the Afghans are due to complete their cricketing preparations within Afghanistan, at Jalalabad city’s Ghazi Amanullah Khan International Cricket Stadium before embarking on a camping tour to either Pakistan or India for world class facilities usage.

Afghanistan’s tour to Zimbabwe may have been cancelled, but they will have more to gain than to lose considering they take advantage of using world class facilities in either Pakistan or India. However, Zimbabwe will rue this opportunity to prepare for the upcoming world cup in Bangladesh