TellZim Reporter
Cricketer Patient Charumbira is said to be a distressed man after
he was reportedly threatened by people who are unhappy with his role in lobbying
for tough action against Zimbabwe cricket from the International Cricket
Council (ICC).
he was reportedly threatened by people who are unhappy with his role in lobbying
for tough action against Zimbabwe cricket from the International Cricket
Council (ICC).
ICC recently suspended the country in protest against alleged political
interference in the administration of local cricket.
interference in the administration of local cricket.
Charumbira is said to be a leading critic of alleged government
meddling in the management of local cricket. During an interview on CapiTalk
Radio on April 12, he attacked alleged corruption and political meddling in the
affairs of the Zimbabwe Cricket Council (ZCC).
meddling in the management of local cricket. During an interview on CapiTalk
Radio on April 12, he attacked alleged corruption and political meddling in the
affairs of the Zimbabwe Cricket Council (ZCC).
Several Zimbabwe cricketers in the past have had to leave the
country, with others fleeing into exile fearing persecution for speaking out
against the government. Among these are fast bowler Henry Olonga, who relocated
to the Australia.
country, with others fleeing into exile fearing persecution for speaking out
against the government. Among these are fast bowler Henry Olonga, who relocated
to the Australia.
Although no comment could be obtained from Charumbira himself,
reliable sources said the cricketer, who currently plays for VVV Amsterdam in
the Netherlands, fears returning home.
reliable sources said the cricketer, who currently plays for VVV Amsterdam in
the Netherlands, fears returning home.
“Some cricket fans and State actors feel Charumbira is among a
group of disgruntled cricketers who have painted the sport in Zimbabwe in bad
light and lobbied for tougher ICC sanctions. They believe he deserves
punishment,” said a source.
group of disgruntled cricketers who have painted the sport in Zimbabwe in bad
light and lobbied for tougher ICC sanctions. They believe he deserves
punishment,” said a source.
The ICC has withdrawn funding and barred Zimbabwe from participating
at any ICC event in the world.
at any ICC event in the world.
Zimbabwe was due to take part in a T20 World Cup qualifier
scheduled for October this year but ICC chairman Shashank Manohar has poured
cold water on the ambitions saying a strong statement had to be made against
political interference in sports management.
scheduled for October this year but ICC chairman Shashank Manohar has poured
cold water on the ambitions saying a strong statement had to be made against
political interference in sports management.
He claimed that the situation with Zimbabwe cricket was a serious
breach of the ICC constitution that could not be allowed to continue unchecked.
breach of the ICC constitution that could not be allowed to continue unchecked.
The ICC made the decision after government’s Sports and Recreation
Commission (SRC) suspended the entire Zimbabwe Cricket Board and replaced it
with an interim committee which critics say is illegal.
Commission (SRC) suspended the entire Zimbabwe Cricket Board and replaced it
with an interim committee which critics say is illegal.
This decision to suspend Zimbabwe will be reviewed by the ICC in
October 2019. The country’s test status was suspended by the ICC in June 2004
after 15 players dropped out of the squad after the then captain Heath Streak
was dismissed.
October 2019. The country’s test status was suspended by the ICC in June 2004
after 15 players dropped out of the squad after the then captain Heath Streak
was dismissed.
They played eight test matches in 2005 after the suspension was
lifted, but could then not play another test match until 2011. Zimbabwe also
failed to qualify for this year’s just-ended Cricket World Cup in England and
Wales which was won by England in a sensational final against New Zealand.
lifted, but could then not play another test match until 2011. Zimbabwe also
failed to qualify for this year’s just-ended Cricket World Cup in England and
Wales which was won by England in a sensational final against New Zealand.
In March this year, former Zimbabwe Cricket director Enock Ikope
was given a 10-year ban from the game after being found guilty of breaching
three counts of the ICC’s anti-corruption code.
was given a 10-year ban from the game after being found guilty of breaching
three counts of the ICC’s anti-corruption code.
Charumbira is a former Zimbabwe A cricketer, who represented
Zimbabwe at first class level from 2006 to 2011, and also represented the
country at the Under 19s level prior to that.
Zimbabwe at first class level from 2006 to 2011, and also represented the
country at the Under 19s level prior to that.
He relocated to South Africa where he developed into coaching as
well as playing but maintained ties and an interest in Zimbabwe Cricket.
well as playing but maintained ties and an interest in Zimbabwe Cricket.
The Masvingo-bred cricketer has gained some status as an opinion
leader in the field of cricket, working as a freelance commentator for
SuperSport, SandSport and Octagon.
leader in the field of cricket, working as a freelance commentator for
SuperSport, SandSport and Octagon.
He was recently invited to provide commentary on Zimbabwe’s last
home game against the United Arab Emirates.
home game against the United Arab Emirates.
