Zimbabwe call off T20 series against Afghanistan amid spike in COVID-19 cases

The two nations were set to face-off five times in July and August but the entire series has been shelved following fresh government restrictions

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Zimbabwe and Afghanistan's five-match T20 series has been called off following a spike in cases of COVID-19 in the country.

The government have put in strict regulations and control measures to slow the spread of the outbreak, leading to the decision.

Special dispensation had been sought but the Sports and Recreation Commission have advised that the nation are unprepared to host the matches.

“We were keen to see the imminent and safe return of cricket, but we understand the Government’s health concerns and accept that cancelling the proposed tour is sensible and in the best interest of players, match officials, volunteers, service providers, fans and the wider community,” said Zimbabwe Cricket Acting Managing Director Givemore Makoni.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board added: “The ACB understands that under the current situation where the Covid-19 pandemic still poses a grave threat to the health and safety of everyone concerned, it is not currently feasible for the series to be held.”

“ACB has always been strongly adherent to the health and safety guidelines in the wake of the Covid-18 outbreak throughout the globe which also laid an impact on the cricketing calendar including the 2020 T20 World Cup.”

The ACB and CZ will discuss a series between both countries once the coronavirus outbreak has been dealt with effectively.

After finally recovering from the what the board described as “the worst two years in the country’s cricket history” having to pay off legacy debts of $27 million, the decision to cancel the series was not an easy one to take for Zimbabwean cricket.

Speaking in July with the visit of India and tour of Australia having also been canned, AC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani told Cricbuzz: "We've been walking through (a financial plan) with the ICC.

"We are on controlled funding and that has progressed very well. The restructuring of the organisation has taken place, so we think that other than this Covid, we should be in a good space with our finances and that should allow more programmes to take place."

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