zimcricketnews.com

brmtaylor.com have acquired a list of franchise CEO names, and the list will be depressingly familiar to some. If it turns out to be accurate, it also shows that ZC's protestations that the franchises will be fully-independent probably won't bear scrutiny.

Kenyon Ziehl is reported to be lined up as Midlands CEO. With ZC under pressure to reform its selection panel, and Ziehl's place on the panel in jeopardy due to his lack of playing experience, this appointment seems to be a straightforward reward for good service.

Hugo Ribatika is a cricket 'commentator', in the loosest sense of the word, and former ZBC news anchor. He commentated on the last Zimbabwe v Pakistan ODI series, where he managed to show a complete lack of knowledge of the game, with his gaffs becoming quite the talking point on our forums. He looks set to be CEO of the Mashonaland franchise.

Givemore Makoni is another ZC staffer (national team manager) and Takashinga founder member, who is to be handed the Masvingo franchise.

Stanley Staddon is another ZC stalwart, currently chairman of the Bulawayo Metropolitan Cricket Association and soon to be CEO of the Matabeleland franchise.

Manicaland's CEO is still to be finalised, but the current front-runner seems to be TV personality Tichafa Matambanadzo, who is believed to be a relative of ZC MD Ozias Bvute.

ZC had indicated they planned to formally announce the CEO appointments by 1st June, so we'll soon see how accurate this leak is. If true, though, my hopes for the franchise format have already taken a severe knock.
brmtaylor.com - Franchise CEO information leaked