ICC warns Zimbabwe that issues remain

Ehsan Mani: 'No-one should regard the appointment of this committee as a solution to the issues facing Zimbabwe cricket' © Getty Images Enlarge

The ICC has issued a warning to Zimbabwe Cricket that the appointment of a new interim board is not the end of its troubles, but stopped short of making any comments on controversial statements made by senior sports officials last Friday.

Almost 72 hours after the news broke that Zimbabwe's government had stepped in to assume control of the board, Ehsan Mani, the ICC president, said that "no-one should regard the appointment of this committee as a solution to the issues facing Zimbabwe cricket.

"These include addressing allegations of financial mismanagement; ensuring disputes between players and the board are effectively addressed; and providing certainty for other ICC members that the strongest possible Zimbabwe cricket team will be able to fulfil future international commitments, especially the forthcoming tour of the West Indies due to commence in April."

The issue is certain to be discussed when the ICC directors meet this week in Karachi, and West Indies are sure to express serious concerns that even if Zimbabwe do raise a side to tour in April, it will be so weak as to significantly undermine the profitability of the series.

While the ICC has always maintained this is a domestic issue, the pressure on it to act has increased in the light of the seemingly racist decision to oust all white and Asian administrators on the grounds of their colour and political position.