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In a decision released this afternoon, the ICC's Event Technical Committee has accepted Zimbabwe's decision to forfeit their Intercontinental Cup fixture against Scotland. The decision reveals that the ICC's intention had been to award no points to either side if they could not resolve their issues over the fixture, but ZC's decision gave them another, acceptable option.

The decision means that, with 20 points awarded to Scotland as a result, the Intercontinental Cup final will now be played between Scotland and Afghanistan - the one remaining match in the league stage of the competition, between Afghanistan and Kenya, can only affect whether Afghanistan finish in first or second place. Ireland miss out on a place in the final for the first time in the event's history.

Cricket Scotland Chief Executive Roddy Smith commented on the decision:

"Cricket Scotland notes the decision of the event technical committee. We are glad a conclusion has been reached on this issue and we are now very much looking forward to participating in the final. It will be a great opportunity for our young, talented side to experience the big-match environment of an ICC final."

May the best team win.

Zimbabwe Cricket have just issued the following statement regarding their Intercontinental Cup fixture against Scotland:

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has received much media interest on what the outcome will be following Scotland's decision not to tour Zimbabwe for the scheduled International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Cup fixture against Zimbabwe XI.

Having considered the position, we have decided to forfeit the match in favour of Scotland. If it meets with the approval of the ICC, it is our recommendation that Scotland be awarded the full points for this fixture, a move that will allow for them to proceed to the final.

The Associate Members countries use this and other competitions to benchmark and track their progress, which progress is important to them. To this end we feel that the I-Cup is a significant competition in Scotland's development and therefore important that it gets the full benefits associated with playing in it. Moreover, given the limited playing opportunities available to them, it would be unnecessarily counterproductive to rob them of their right to participation or reduce their chances of reaching the final.

We accepted the invitation by the ICC to participate in this tournament and at no time did we advocate that the game be played in Zimbabwe, instead the venue of the fixture was decided by the ICC. In coming to this situation, the ICC no doubt took into full consideration the safety and security of the players - a condition which Zimbabwe fully meets with as a sporting nation. Having therefore met with these conditions, it is out of the question to consider playing our home matches anywhere else than in our own country.

While Scotland's decision not to tour has been attributed to political considerations, we as Zimbabwe Cricket are not qualified to comment on matters political of any country, nor would we want to base the future of the game of cricket on political directives. As such Zimbabwe has no dispute with either Cricket Scotland or the ICC. Instead, we seek only a solution that will ultimately allow for fair participation by all.

Our development team has nevertheless immensely enjoyed participating in this tournament and will no doubt cherish the life-long relationships that have been forged as a result. It is our strong belief that this is one of the many reasons nations play sport other than the sheer thrill of competition. It is our hope that our decision and ultimately that of the ICC, will allow for cricket to be the ultimate winner.

Our decision has been communicated to the Events Technical Committee (ETC) of the ICC which will convene on Monday 27 September to further consider the matter in light of our submission. While we await the ETC's final decision, we will not issue any further comment on this matter.

That's an incredibly sporting decision by ZC, who should be commended for taking it. Although I do admit I would have liked to see Zimbabwe XI play in the final.

Alastair Campbell, Zimbabwe's Chairman of Selectors (amongst other hats) has branded Cricket Scotland's decision not to tour Zimbabwe "an insult", according to CricInfo. That decision was made based on advice from the UK and Scottish government, but Campbell points out that there is no shortage of Englishmen plying their trade in Zimbabwe at the moment, not least of which is the national coach:

We have ten Englishmen playing cricket and coaching in Zimbabwe, including our national coach Alan Butcher, and apart from anything else the decision is an insult to them.

Quite right, too.
Cricinfo - Scotland's refusal to tour is an insult - Campbell

ZC have issued a statement regarding Cricket Scotland's decision not to tour Zimbabwe for their scheduled Intercontinental Cup match, and in doing so have ruled out playing the match on neutral territory:

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has confirmed receiving official notification from Cricket Scotland about the Scottish governments directive not to tour Zimbabwe for the scheduled ICC Intercontinental Cup matches against the
Zimbabwe A team.

"The decision is regrettable," said ZC managing director Ozias Bvute. "We have consulted with our various authorities who have all ruled out the possibility of these matches being played in a neutral venue," he added.

"I remain of the belief that sport can build bridges and I have confidence that it can also act as a catalyst for healing and national unity. It is with this in mind that we hope that in the not too distant future, all the strained sporting relations will be restored for the common good of all," said Bvute.

Emphasis added. That puts the ball back in the ICC's court as to how the match should be handled, and with the two boards apparently unwilling to compromise they'll be left with a difficult decision as to what sanctions should be taken for failure to honour the fixture, and against which side.

Scotland on Sunday reports that, acting on advice from the UK Foreign Office, Cricket Scotland have decided not to travel to Zimbabwe for their upcoming Intercontinental Cup fixture. Failure to honour the fixture would cost Scotland any hope of a place in the tournament final, but the paper reports that discussions are underway with the ICC about holding the fixture on neutral territory, as had originally been intended. The Scottish position on touring Zimbabwe does seem out-of-step with other nations at the moment, though, especially with Ireland - whose team is also drawn from Northern Ireland, a part of the UK - having already agreed to tour.
Scotland on Sunday - Saltires out of Zimbabwe tie on Foreign Office advice

The BBC reports that Cricket Scotland will meet tomorrow to discuss their upcoming Intercontinental Cup fixture against Zimbabwe XI. Pressure is on the Scots to travel to Zimbabwe to fulfil the fixture, instead of playing on neutral territory as originally scheduled - in fact, the BBC report claims that if the Scots refuse to travel to Zimbabwe they could be faced with forfeiting the fixture.

Zim sports minister met the Cricket Scotland last week, and stated in a Twitter post after the meeting that he was confident that the Scots would tour. We'll find out soon enough if his confidence was misplaced or not.
BBC Sport - Scotland could face Zimbabwe match dilemma

CricInfo has news that Henry Olonga has restated his desire for cricketing contacts to be restored with Zimbabwe, despite his own misgivings about some of the people running ZC - although he has ruled out returning home himself:

"Personal safety is still a consideration for me, although the Zimbabwean government seems to be softening. The winds of change are blowing through the country. Maybe it's time now to consider bringing Zimbabwe out of isolation from a broader perspective.

"We still have the issue of slightly suspicious gentlemen running the sport. I don't really trust the man [Bvute] but he's shown a genuine desire to re-engage with some of the former players. They have extended the olive branch to players like Heath Streak and a few others, to try to get some of these players back involved in the running of cricket because their loss has cost the country."

Zim sports minister David Coltart is also set to meet with Cricket Scotland to discuss Scotland's Intercontinental Cup fixture with Zimbabwe XI - pressure is on CS to agree to play the fixture in Zimbabwe instead of on neutral ground, and Coltart is hoping to reassure the Scottish authorities that the country is safe:

"I have to go and speak to Scottish cricket authorities, and one of the main things they want to do is have me speak to the players because they are nervous about going out. They've seen pictures. One has to recognise that there is a lot of scepticism in the UK regarding this political arrangement. My main task is to try to overcome that scepticism. I can't disregard it because in some respects it's well founded."

England do seem to be in a minority of one as far as their views on cricket contact with Zim are concerned. Coltart has proven himself to be rather persuasive when speaking the Australian and New Zealand authorities - hopefully his good run will continue with the Scots.
CricInfo - Olonga asks for renewal of ties with Zimbabwe

The remaining fixtures in the current Intercontinental Cup competition have been released, and you can find the full list on our Fixtures page. Zimbabwe's next match won't be until August 2010, when the side travel to Canada and Netherlands, while the final two matches against Ireland and Scotland are currently billed as "home" games - although I suspect they may well end up being played on neutral territory.

The Scotsman carries and interview with Cricket Scotland Chief Executive Roddy Smith that indicates that the Intercontinental Cup match between Zimbabwe XI and Scotland is set to take place on neutral territory:

An inter-continental cup clash with Zimbabwe is also on the cards with the setting Dubai while qualifying for the next world twenty:20 competition will be held in February.

While the political situation has improved in Zimbabwe over the past year, there's still doubt about the willingness of the British government to allow Zimbabwe to play in the UK - it's this uncertainly that will likely be behind the shift. It'll be interesting to see where the fixture against Ireland ends up being played...
Scotsman - Edinburgh to host England clash with Saltires

They may not have qualified for the World Cup, but Zimbabwe's women have put in a creditable performance in this tournament, securing 5th place after another convincing win over Scotland. Batting firs, Zimbabwe scored 236/6 from their 50 overs, with Yvonne Rainsford (69), Sinikiwe Mpofu (48) and Julia Chibhabha (48*) forming the backbone of the innings. For the Scots, Fiona Campbell took 2/44. Scotland were then skittled out for 75, with Julia Chibhabha taking 4/16 and Precious Marange 3/22 on the way to a convincing 161-run victory.

Full scorecard below the cut.
Zimbabwe 236/5 (50 overs; Rainsford 69, Campbell 2/44), Scotland 75 (32.5 overs; 'Extras' 27, Anderson 13, Chibhabha 4/16). Zimbabwe win by 161 runs.