Accordingly the COVID-19 pandemic continued to take a toll on international cricket with hosts zimbabwe calling off their upcoming five-match T20I series against Afghanistan. The t20 series was scheduled in august and Zimbabwe cricket had also sought permission from its government to organize the series in a controlled environment. However, the sports and Recreation Commission suggested the country was not still ready to host visiting teams due to the sudden surge in COVID cases.
Meanwhile ZC acting managing director Givemore Makoni said it was a sensible decision considering the circumstances. "We were keen to see the imminent and safe return of cricket, but we understand the government's health concerns and accept that canceling the proposed tour is sensible and in the best interest of players, match officials, volunteers, service providers, fans and the wider community," Makoni was quoted as saying by cricbuzz.
India were also scheduled to tour zimbabwe for a series comprising three ODIs, starting august 22, but that too had to be canceled due to the global health crisis. It is a big blow for Zimbabwe, which last played an ODI and T20I series against bangladesh earlier this year. zimbabwe was banned for three months by the ICC last year over its failure to keep the sport free from government interference. The ban was lifted in october following a meeting in dubai involving the ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani and sports minister Kirsty Coventry. It is a big blow for Zimbabwe, which last played an ODI and T20I series against bangladesh earlier this year.
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