ICC restores Zimbabwe and Nepal as members

ICC restores Zimbabwe and Nepal as members: The two nations have been restored as full members by the international body.

ICC (International Cricket Council) have reinstated Zimbabwe and Nepal as members. Zimbabwe were suspended three months ago due to government interference in their cricketing board.

While Zimbabwe did play international cricket in this period, they were not allowed to play in the ICC-organised tournaments. The decision was taken during ICC’s October board meeting on Monday.

Zimbabwe, who have been on the decline for more than a decade now, could have faced serious ramifications across disciplines had their current status was retained by the ICC.

As far as Nepal is considered, they were suspended in 2016 for breach of ICC regulations that prohibit government interference while also requiring ‘free and fair elections’.

ICC restores Zimbabwe and Nepal as members

“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 was quoted as saying. It is further said that Zimbabwe’s sports minister played a pivotal role in in assuring the move.

“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,” Manohar said of the development in Nepal.