Zimbabwe Calls Off Afghanistan's T20 Series Citing Health Risks

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been the single most responsible thing for the postponement and cancellation several exciting cricketing tournaments. Adding to its counts in Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe, consisting of five-match T20 series, citing the COVID-19 crisis. The Afghans were supposed to visit the African nation in July and was to continue till August; however, it was tentative so far.

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Afghanistan cricket team played their last international match against Ireland in a three-match T20 series that was contested in Delhi in March.

On the other hand, Zimbabwe featured in their final international game in March too against Bangladesh. Zimbabwe’s visit to the sub-continent nation also included three T20Is, a solitary Test and two T20Is all of which the tourists lost.

Zimbabwe Sports and Recreation Commission’s director-general Prince Mupazviriho stated that it is not a proper time for overseas teams to visit Zimbabwe, considering there would not be enough duration to complete the quarantine period.

“It will not be proper at the moment for foreigners to come to Zimbabwe for sport considering that there won’t be enough time to go through the required quarantine period,” Mupazviriho stated as quoted by Ariana News.

The Director-General went on to take into account the spike in COVID-19 cases and that it can put Afghans at risk. The nation’s Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry was not too keen to give a green signal for the tour.

“We also took into consideration the recent spike in Covid-19 cases and felt that such a tour would put the players and everybody at great risk. So the minister responsible (Sports minister Kirsty Coventry) decided not to approve the tour,” he added.

Zimbabwe hoping to tour Pakistan in October:

Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani declared that the series cancellation set them backwards; however, are looking to seal the tour of Pakistan in October. By visiting Pakistan, they would begin their road to the World Cup Super League commitments, which is a pathway to qualify for the 2023 World Cup.

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