Cricket: Faisal quits Zimbabwe job

HARARE: The fallout from Zimbabwe’s failure to qualify for the 2019 World Cup is threatening to go nuclear, with Zimbabwe Cricket losing its respected managing director Faisal Hasnain, and players threatening to strike during a planned tri-series against Australia and Pakistan in July unless they are paid their dues.

Those are just two of the problems facing ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani, whose position has come under further scrutiny following his decision to run for political office. Mukuhlani is also facing a $1m libel suit from former coach Heath Streak for comments made in the media, in which he insinuated Streak’s selection and management of the Zimbabwe team had been racially motivated.

Mukuhlani and his board have come under steady fire since effecting a wholesale clearout of coaching and support staff just days after Zimbabwe lost to the UAE and failed to qualify for the World Cup. The decision turned public opinion against the board, and led to the creation of the Zimbabwe Cricket Family, a group of people connected to the game who have sought to have the ZC board removed from office. While the ZC board have survived the onslaught thus far, they could now face action from the one party with power to cripple the game from the inside.