HARARE - New Zealand will not tour Zimbabwe next June, citing security reasons. The Kiwis are still reluctant to tour the country even after Pakistan and Kenya enjoyed a good reception last October.
In the past decade, Zimbabwe was marred by state-sponsored political violence and hyper inflation. But with the formation of the inclusive government, last year, the country has seen a decrease in the violence, while the dollarization of the economy eliminated inflation.
New Zealand were initially scheduled to visit Zimbabwe last year but rescheduled the trip for June, this year.
NCZ Chief Executive, Justin Vaughan, suggested postponing the tour or requesting a neutral venue, arguing that the situation in Zimbabwe has not improved.
“It is clear from our recent discussions that the government’s assessment of the security situation in Zimbabwe has not changed from that of a year ago, when the scheduled tour was postponed,” Vaughan said.
“We have a possible window for the rescheduling of the tour next year in May/June. The other option is that we look at playing the scheduled tour in a neutral venue,” he added.
Zimbabwe Cricket chairman, Peter Chingoka, told The Zimbabwean he had not received any official letter from New Zealand informing him of the postponement.
I cant really comment on that issue because I have not seen any official letter saying that; it is something said in the press, he said.
New Zealand last toured Zimbabwe in 2005 for two Tests and a one-day tri-series. –
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News