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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket’s failure to pay players their salaries led to a premature end of the Logan Cup match between Bulawayo Metropolitan Tuskers and Midlands Rhinos at Queens Sports Club yesterday.
Rhinos were awarded the match, winning by 207 runs, after Tuskers forfeited their second innings.
According to sources, the cricketers felt betrayed that ZC failed to honour its commitment to pay them their November salaries together with their December dues.
The salaries were deposited into players’ accounts on Monday, but only reflected yesterday, leading to a delay in starting day three of the scheduled four-day game.
“The guys agreed to play this game because ZC had promised that they were going to pay the November and December salaries at once. However, that wasn’t the case as the money deposited on Monday showed that it was only the November salaries. The match officials and provincial officers’ pleas for the guys to play fell on deaf ears. It was only after lunch that the guys agreed to play, but just for a short time,” said a source.
After having lunch, Rhinos resumed batting, but after facing a single delivery, they declared their second innings on 64 for four.
Chasing a target of 276 to win, Tuskers only played 16.1 overs before forfeiting their second innings, with their score on 68 for one. There was still a session plus the whole of day four.
The umpires then awarded the match to Rhinos.
In a statement released last night, ZC said: “Zimbabwe Cricket is now dealing with the issue and is confident the dispute will be resolved quickly.”
Meanwhile, an official said players who incited yesterday’s boycott will be disciplined.
“There are a couple of guys who caused the confusion. Just watch, ZC will deal with those bad elements because a number of youngsters wanted to play and these senior players denied them an opportunity to enjoy the game.”
@ZililoR
Online Reporter