adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE have been caught up in a desert storm after it was established that they included over-aged players in their squad for the ICC Under-19 Cricket tournament currently underway in the United Arab Emirates.
The age determination policy for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup states that to be eligible to participate in the tournament, players from Full Member countries must be under the age of 19 on the 1st of September before the event takes place while those from Associate or Affiliate Member countries must be under the age of 20.
But five of Zimbabwe’s players – Deven Bell, Ryan Burl, Charles Kunje, Cuthbert Musoko and captain, Malcom Lake – had already turned 19 by September 1, 2013.
According to the regulations, it is s very serious offence to include over-aged players in the squad for the youth tournament and teams or players that break the rules risk disqualification.
The ICC, however, said in a statement that the selection of the players was a result of a breakdown in communication with the Zimbabwe cricket board, hence there are no penalties to be meted on the side.
“The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that Zimbabwe inadvertently selected five over-aged players in its squad for the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup UAE 2014 due to a miscommunication and administrative error between Zimbabwe Cricket and the event organiser.
“The ICC, after consulting the Event Technical Committee, has allowed Zimbabwe to continue with the same set of players in the second half of the tournament.
“All teams participating in the Plate Championship were, given the circumstances, satisfied with the proposed course of action.
“The quarter-finals of the Super League and Plate Championship will be played on Saturday (today) and Sunday.
“Zimbabwe will feature in the Plate Championship and will play its quarter-final against Namibia at Abu Dhabi Oval 2 on Saturday,” said a statement from the ICC.
Zimbabwe team manager Nick Singo maintained that the selection of the squad was done in good faith, despite the gaffe.
“The issue of over-aged players has been in certain websites from Zimbabwe. Certain parents felt that their children deserved to be in the squad hence a lot of negatives in the websites.
“Fortunately, as much as they have tried to paint a bad picture of the team, ICC has discovered that Zimbabwe did not commit any offence hence the team has been participating in the tournament without any problems.
“I have also discussed this matter with ICC representatives and there is no problem, the problem is with the people back home. At the moment the boys would like to concentrate with their game not with jealous individuals,” said Singo.
Zimbabwe are looking forward to the remainder of the tournament despite failing to make the Super Eight stage.
The team finished third in Group C behind giants South Africa and the West Indies who took the two slots to the Cup quarter-finals.
Canada finished bottom and will compete in the Plate championship together with Zimbabwe.
Singo said they are hoping to put all the disappointment behind them and finish the tournament on positive note.
“Yes we are looking forward to the game and the boys can’t wait. All the players (are) in good health.
“They seem to have gone over the issue that they are no longer in the Super League. The coaches have been working on the batting and hopefully this time the boys will do well,” he said.
Online Reporter