adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THERE are no monetary gains for Zimbabwe Cricket when they play host to Afghanistan next week as their matches will not be televised.
Countries make the most from television rights but Zimbabwe’s plunge on the international scene seems to have cost them a fortune, with global cricket lovers preferring to watch matches involving high-profile teams.
Afghanistan land next Thursday at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport and will play four One Day International matches at Bulawayo’s ceremonial home of cricket – Queens Sports Club.
The Asians are scheduled to play their first of the four ODIs on July 18 with the second encounter following in two days time. They will then take on Zimbabwe in the third ODI on July 22 and wind up their stay in the City of Kings on July 24 before travelling to Harare to participate in two four-day games.
Work on the field has already started at Queens Sports Club with Matabeleland Tuskers Cricket Franchise head Stanley Staddon yesterday saying they are ready for the Afghanistan and South Africa matches.
Bulawayo cricket enthusiasts will miss out on the much awaited return of giants Australia who will be involved in a Triangular Series with Zimbabwe and South Africa next month but will still watch three ODIs against the Proteas at Queens Sports Club which will also be beamed live on pay-per-view television station SuperSport.
“Everything is ready at Queens and the wickets are in perfect condition. We have also managed to get a pump up and running at the Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) where Afghanistan will play some warm-up games against Zimbabwe A on July 13 and 15. They will also train at BAC during their stay in Bulawayo.
“Unfortunately for those that wanted to stay home for the Afghanistan tour, the games will not be televised and we are calling on cricket lovers from Bulawayo and surrounding areas to come in their numbers for the matches. If we have more people coming for our games at the end of the day we have a strong case to clamour for more international games to be brought to the city,” said Staddon.
South Africa arrive in Zimbabwe on August 5 for a month-long tour that will end with a Triangular One-Day International (ODI) Series including Australia. The Proteas tour will start with a Test match against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on August 9 which will be followed by three ODI games at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on August 17, 19 and 21 before South Africa and Zimbabwe return to the capital for a Triangular ODI Series with Australia.
All the matches of the triangular series are at Harare Sports Club, with the first between Zimbabwe and Australia scheduled for 25 August.
Online Reporter