Chronicle Editor
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) is considering an application from Zimbabwe Cricket for the country’s senior men’s cricket team to travel to Pakistan next month.
ZC acting managing director, Givemore Makoni confirmed they had written to the SRC seeking the green light to embark on the trip to Pakistan. SRC director-general, Prince Mupazviriho said they were looking into the application from ZC, with a number of considerations to be made before permission is granted or denied. Some of issues to ponder over for the SRC are to look at where the team is going, safety of the destination and what transpires when they come back in light of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
“We need to look at the circumstances, where they are going, how safe it is and what happens when they return,’’ Mupazviriho said.
Pakistan Cricket Board chief executive officer, Wasim Khan was last month quoted in that country’s media stating they were preparing for Zimbabwe’s arrival in the Asian nation for three One Day Internationals and same number of Twenty20 Internationals. The ODIs are part of the International Cricket Council Super League, which is the pathway for the 2023 Cricket World Cup qualifying process.
If granted permission to tour, the Chevrons will arrive in Pakistan on 20 October and go into Covid-19 quarantine for two weeks, where the contingent will be twice tested before the team starts training ahead of the start of the action at the beginning of November.
While Pakistan was for years deemed an unsafe place for international cricket after terrorists attacked a bus carrying members of the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009, a reduction in terrorism has made the Asian country harmless to tour.
Zimbabwe did travel to Pakistan in May 2015 for two T20I and three ODIs, with the tour going ahead without any major incidents. After Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Bangladesh and an ICC World XI have visited Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe national women bowling all-rounder, Anesu Mushangwe collected six accolades at the South Australia Cricket Association awards ceremony held in Adelaide on Friday. The 24-year was in brilliant form with bat and ball for Glenelg District Cricket Club as she led her team to earn promotion to First Grade cricket.
Some of the awards won by Mushangwe were the second grade five wickets, second grade 30 wickets, Seafillies most outstanding women’s club player and South Australia Lyn Fullstone prize. She also earned an invitation to train with the South Australian state team. Mushangwe also played two-day format for Fulham Cricket Club where she played with males.
“I don’t believe in luck, it’s just God’s grace, it was not easy at first then things started happening because of my hard work. Mentally I have also been challenged because you won’t last in cricket if you are not mentally strong. I went for three matches in a row without performing but my coach helped me a lot in the end it worked out,” Mushangwe said.
Because of Covid-19 travel restrictions, she is staying put Down Under and is now preparing for the new season in Australia. Her initial plan was to return when the Australian season ended in April.
@Mdawini_29
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