ZCU concerned over India tour

THE Zimbabwe Cricket Union have expressed concern at the growing political tension between India and Pakistan ahead of the locals' tour of the subcontinent next month. Military tension between India and Pakistan heightened on Tuesday following an attack on the United States Centre in Calcutta, which the Indian security officials blamed on Pakistani activists.

Zimbabwe are scheduled to arrive in Mumbai on February 12 for a 37-day tour of India that includes three Test and five one-day matches. ZCU chairman Peter Chingoka said yesterday that they have been in close contact with the authorities in India and would continue to do so before a decision on whether to go ahead with the tour is finalized.

"We are obviously very concerned with any environment which might put the security of our players and officials at risk. We will be monitoring the situation regularly before coming up with a decision. We have been in contact with the cricket authorities in India (BCCI).

"There are still about three weeks before we are due to travel to India and there won't be any need to make hurried decisions now. We will also get in touch with the Zimbabwean High Commission in India for advice so there is nothing concrete at the moment and the tour will remain on schedule," said Chingoka.