New sponsors in pipeline, insists Zimbabwe board

Zimbabwe Cricket has denied reports that it is struggling to find sponsors following the expiry of three existing contracts.

The ending of three main deals - with Old Mutual, Nissan and Bata - was revealed yesterday, but Andrew Muzamhindo, ZC's marketing manager, said that replacements were being lined up.

"Our contract with Old Mutual expires in February next year and we have already started negotiations for a new deal and we are optimistic that things will work out," Muzamhindo told the Harare Herald. "Our deal with Nissan Zimbabwe ended at the conclusion of the England series and we are not looking at having another car deal at the moment.

"We are about to conclude a deal with Taj TV who want to replace Nissan Zimbabwe and become our new sponsors for the one-day international matches. It is almost done."

And Muzamhindo dismissed reports that Bata, the kit manufacturers and sponsors, had withdrawn for political reasons. It has been reported that Bata recently laid off 200 workers, and more redundancies are likely. Zimbabwe Cricket is thought to be about to conclude a deal with Ihsan Sports, a Pakistan sportswear company.