The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday reinstated Zimbabwe and Nepal as its members. The decision was taken at the ICC Board meetings in Dubai.
The apex cricket body has readmitted zimbabwe following a meeting with the ICC Chairman and Chief Executive, Zimbabwe Cricket Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani and Zimbabwe Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry and Gerald Mlotshwa, the Chairman of the Sports and Recreation Commission.
Zimbabwe Cricket was suspended in July this year, following government interference in the running of the Board.
“I would like to thank the Zimbabwe Sports Minister for her commitment to the reinstatement of Zimbabwe Cricket. Her desire to work in support of Zimbabwe Cricket was clear and she has unconditionally complied with the conditions set down by the ICC Board. Funding to Zimbabwe Cricket will continue to be on a controlled basis as part of a collective effort behind getting the game in Zimbabwe back on an even keel,” ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar said in his statement.
Welcome back @ZimCricketv! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/N3iqRuUqe7
— ICC (@ICC) October 14, 2019
Zimbabwe will now be able to take up its place in the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in January and the ICC Super League later in 2020.
Nepal has also been readmitted as an ICC member on a conditional basis following their 2016 suspension for a breach of regulations which prohibit government interference and require free and fair elections.
Mr. Manohar added: “Given the progress made in Nepal, a transition plan will now be developed for the Cricket Association of Nepal to support full compliance with associate membership criteria, which will also involve controlled funding.”
