The Sunday News
FORMER Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Wilson Manase is facing sanctions over Zimbabwe’s unauthorised tour to Pakistan in May this year.
Reliable sources informed this publication that Manase pleaded guilty to the charge of taking the national team on a tour that was not cleared by the supreme sports governing body in the country. The informant further said that had Manase retained his position as ZC chairman last month, he was going to be asked to relinquish that position.
“Wilson Manase pleaded guilty to the charge of sending the Zimbabwe Cricket team on a tour that was not cleared by the SRC. He said he is the one who made the unilateral decision for the tour to go ahead so even if he had been retained as chairman he was going to be asked to step down from that post,’’ said the source.
SRC director general Charles Nhemachena said the investigation process was now complete after hearings were done. According to Nhemachena, Manase represented ZC during the hearing, a process chaired by SRC board member Aisha Tsimba.
“We have finished our investigation on the Zimbabwe Cricket team’s tour to Pakistan. That tour was not sanctioned but they proceeded with the tour. Judgment on the matter will be announced soon, those concerned will be informed first before a public statement is issued. It is up to the committee how they view the issue,’’ said Nhemachena.
Recently elected ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani confirmed he was aware of the SRC investigation into Zimbabwe’s visit to Pakistan.
Zimbabwe became the first International Cricket Council full member to embark on a tour to Pakistan when they played three One Day Internationals and two Twenty20 International matches. This was despite the Asian country being a security risk.
