The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
IN a bid to motivate the Chevrons to qualify for next year’s International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup in England, Zimbabwe Cricket are working on attractive incentives for the national team players as well as technical staff if qualification is achieved.
Faisal Hasnain, the ZC managing director said the players and technical team will get bonuses if they book their place at the global showpiece. The Chevrons are engaged in the ICC Cricket World Cup taking place in Zimbabwe where they are one of the 10 countries fighting for the two available slots for the World Cup.
“They will get a bonus if they qualify, details are still being worked out. The entire squad as well as the technical team will get a cash reward if we qualify,’’ Hasnain said.
He was quick to point out that the incentives will only be given to the team as soon the ZC financial situation gets better. ZC are going through a financial crisis which saw employees only get a portion of their February salaries while the domestic season seems to have come to an abrupt end.
Hasnain’s indications are that the financial state of affairs will get better around July.
“Please note that the cash award will be given once ZC’s financial situation improves. We are working on it but it won’t be soon, possibly in July.”
The Heath Streak coached Chevrons have a great chance of making it to next year’s tournament in England. Before they took on Hong Kong yesterday in their third group B fixture at Queens Sports Club, all was pointing to them finishing in the top two in the pool. Zimbabwe are likely to take on West Indies, Ireland and United Arab Emirates in the Super Six as they fight for a place in next year’s World Cup. All they need is to finish in the top two at the end of the Super Six which would guarantee them a ticket to England.
Zimbabwe automatically qualified for the 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 Cricket World Cup but have to try make it via the Qualifier for 2019, the same route they used for the 1983, 1987 as well as 1992 tournaments. The Qualifier was brought about by ICC’s decision to slash the number of teams at the World Cup from the 14 which took part in the 2015 tournament held in Australia and New Zealand to 10 for next year’s event. -@Mdawini_29
