zimcricketnews.com

You'll remember that ZC's decision to withdraw from next year's World Twenty20 was dependent on the approval of the full Zimbabwe Cricket board. With Peter Chingoka having such a firm hand on the reigns, it was assumed that that approval would be a formality - but there are rumblings, reported in the Zimbabwe Independent, that internal dissent is growing over the move. Officially, ZC are still consulting: a statement posted to the ZC website after a board meeting on Friday failed to approve the move reads...

"The Board is making consultations on the issue to enable it to give a full response to the ICC within the stipulated one month period. Not all the Board members were able to attend the Friday meeting in the capital, which becomes the reason for further consultations."

Opposition to the decision seems to be on the basis that the national side should, by right, be playing in the competition - and that the team exists to play, not to sit on the sidelines. Richie Kaschula, a former Zimbabwe player, selector and administrator, said the decision set a dangerous precedent for the game:

"How can we pull out when our players have right to participate? Once again our players have suffered because of the administration. They have suffered because ICC has failed to deal with Zimbabwe Cricket and tackle the real issues. It wouldn’t have come to this. Our players will lose match fees and exposure, and for some of them it was the only World Cup they were ever going to play in. Why is it that these kids have to carry the burden all the time?"

"Will the ICC ever make cricket decisions? It is all about covering their backs. If England stood to lose the hosting rights over Zimbabwe then so be it. If there are issues with Peter Chingoka and his board why is it they’ve not been dealt with by the ICC? Now our players will not play because of political decisions."

The players themselves are apparently also unhappy. Speaking anonymously to the Independent, on current member of the national side said...

"Was this a financial decision? Zimbabwe Cricket’s core business is playing cricket. Are we compromising not to play cricket in exchange of a few dollars? Questions must be asked why we are so keen on preserving full member status when we are not playing cricket."

Given the political position in Zim at the moment, I wouldn't be surprised if ZC were coming under heavin pressure from the Government to back down on their decision and instead insist on their right to take part in the tournament - that would, after all, cause maximum difficulty to the ECB and British Government, and we all know how much Zanu-PF love to annoy the Brits. I don't think this saga is over just yet...
Zimbabwe Cricket - ZC Board considering recommendation to withdraw from the 2009 WT2O tournament
Zimbabwe Independent - Zimbabwe Cricket Slammed Over Pull-out