Zimbabwe domestic cricket remains in limbo

The uncertainty over Zimbabwe domestic cricket continued a day ahead of the second round of Logan Cup matches with the board saying it could not "provide guarantees of specific dates" for payment of player salaries.

A player boycott has already affected two Pro50 matches over the weekend, with one game ending as a walkover and another played without many senior cricketers, including Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor.

"We remain in discussion with financial institutions over the player salaries," a Zimbabwe Cricket press release said. "We are unable to actually provide guarantees of specific dates except expectations - which expected dates may not be met if negotiations take longer.

"Our position therefore, which we have communicated to the players, is that we remain committed to paying their November salaries at the earliest possible time, and the rest of what is owed them when our financial position improves."

In August this year, the Zimbabwe cricketers had formed a union to participate in salary negotiations prior to the series against Pakistan. The board's financial condition also resulted in Sri Lanka's tour to the country in October being deferred.

The domestic competitions in Zimbabwe, scheduled to begin in November, were also delayed due to financial problems but the tournaments were finally held without any sponsors.

ESPNcricinfo understands Zimbabwe Cricket has asked the ICC for an additional loan of US$3 million but an insider said the ICC may only agree to that if ZC provided an audit of the funds they received from the Targeted Assistance and Performance Programme earlier this year.