July 19 (India Today) – After the ICC suspended Zimbabwe from international cricket on Thursday citing “government interference” former Zimbabwe players have slammed the decision of the world body terming it as one that has put many people out of a job in one go. Zimbabwe player Sikandar Raza and former captain Brendan Taylor were chief amongst many who voice in support of Zimbabwe’s status as a Test-playing nation.
Raza took to Twitter to point out how ICC’s ‘one decision’ would have far-reaching effects on a number of families and careers whilst adding that going by the decision he could have already played his last international match.
“How one decision has made a team, strangers. How one decision has made so many people unemployed. How one decision affects so many families. How one decision has ended so many careers. Certainly not how I wanted to say goodbye to international cricket. @ICC”: Raza wrote on Twitter.
His former teammate Taylor too retweeted Raza’s comments and also made a separate post on his own account alleging that the decision was ‘heartbreaking’.
“@ICC It’s heartbreaking to hear your verdict and suspend cricket in Zimbabwe. The @ZimbabweSrc has no government back round yet our Chairman is an MP? Hundreds of honest people, players, support staff, ground staff totally devoted to ZC out of a job, just like that”: wrote Taylor.
The International Cricket Council said it was also freezing all funding to the southern African country, which is a test-playing nation and full member of the ICC.
The ban will be in place until at least October when the ICC will meet again to reconsider Zimbabwe’s status.
Zimbabwe is due to play in World Twenty20 qualifiers in October but its participation is in doubt for that tournament.
Zimbabwe was suspended after the government-run sports and recreation commission removed the cricket board last month and installed temporary leadership. The commission acted after alleging corruption in Zimbabwe cricket but the ICC viewed it as government interference, which is against the world body’s rules.
