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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.

The 9 points taken from their Intercontinental Cup match against Ireland should be enough to see Zimbabwe XI through to the final of the Intercontinental Cup - ICC deliberations on Scotland's refusal to tour Zimbabwe permitting - after a high-scoring draw on a pitch that offered very little for either side's bowlers to exploit. Batting first after winning the toss, Ireland posted an impressive 465 for their first innings, amongst their highest first-day totals with Andrew White's 102 leading the charge, while John Mooney (87) and William Porterfield (51) provided support. Shingi Masakadza managed to take 5/107, the best bowling figures of the match, to keep the Irish for scoring even more.

At first it looked as though that may have been enough for the Irish to claim first-innings points, especially with the early wicket of Stuart Matsikenyeri (2) raising the worrying spectre of a Zimbabwe Collapse™, but first the combination of Steve Marillier (47) and Sean Williams (a career-best 178), then a further partnership between Williams and Keith Dabengwa (140), laid the foundations of a huge score for Zimbabwe XI. Regis Chakabva (54) and Forster Mutizwa (67*) also chipped in to take Zimbabwe XI to 590 all-out - although by the time they were bowled out, the match was already well into its final day and only a spectacular Irish collapse could have produced a result.

That didn't come, although Ireland did wobble on their way to 151/4 before the match was eventually called off. Ireland's dreams of a 4th consecutive Intercontinental Cup title were thus ended, while Zimbabwe XI await the ICC's decision on what will happen to their match against Scotland - although with Scotland having missed an ICC deadline to agree to the tour (which expired today), it seems likely that the match will not now be played, with points either being split equally between the sides or going fully to Zimbabwe. Either decision will secure Zimbabwe XI's place in the final against Afghanistan. Full scorecard for this match is below the cut.
Ireland 465 (134.5 overs; White 102, Masakadza 5/107) & 151/4 (54 overs; Porterfield 66, Sibanda 1/3), Zimbabwe XI 590 (173.2 overs; Williams 178, K O'Brien 4/104). Match drawn.

ZC have announced their 13-man squad for the Intercontinental Cup fixture against Ireland. A win in the match will keep Zimbabwe on course for a place in the final, while Ireland must win to keep their chances alive - although even then they would still be reliant on results elsewhere. Here's the list:
Forster Mutizwa, Keith Dabengwa, Nathan Waller, Natsai Mushangwe, Njabulo Ncube, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Shingirai Masakadza, Steven Marillier, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tendai Chatara, Timycen Maruma, Vusimuzi Sibanda.

Ireland have confirmed a 14-man squad for their upcoming trip to Zimbabwe, which includes an Intercontinental Cup fixture against Zimbabwe XI and three ODIs against the senior side. With Ireland currently ahead of Zimbabwe in the ICC ODI rankings, Ireland are keen to underscore their superiority against Zim, and coach Phil Simmons is hopeful of a good series:

"It's an important trip for a variety of reasons. We're currently ranked 10th in the world above Zimbabwe, and we want to not only keep our position but close in on, and possibly overhaul Bangladesh. We haven't given up hope of still qualifying for the final of the Intercontinental Cup. A full points win would keep us in with a chance, so we'll be striving all out to achieve that."

It's also a chance for the Irish players to prove form ahead of the next cricket World Cup. The full squad is: William Porterfield (captain), Andre Botha, George Dockrell, Allan Eastwood (Pembroke), Trent Johnston, Nigel Jones, John Mooney, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien (wkt), Andrew Poynter, Paul Stirling, Albert Van De Merwe, Andrew White, Gary Wilson (wkt).
CricInfo - Porterfield back to lead Ireland in Zimbabwe

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

No word yet from either board, but Associated Press are reporting that the Intercontinental Cup fixture between Zimbabwe XI and Ireland, which had ben set to take place on neutral ground in South Africa, has been moved to Zimbabwe. The report also states that Cricket Ireland have agreed to three one-day internationals to supplement to four-day match - it's not clear at the moment whether these will be against Zimbabwe XI or against the full senior side. More details when I get them.
Taiwan News - Ireland agrees to play 3 ODIs in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe XI trounced Canada by an innings and 73 runs, taking only three days to wrap up their Intercontinental Cup meeting with the North American side and in doing so claiming the largest winning margin of the tournament so far and maintaining their unbeaten record. The seeds of the victory were planted on day one when after winning the toss, Canada were put in to bat by Vusi Sibanda and promptly collapsed in a way that's normally associated with Zimbabwe - and I have to say it's nice to watch such collapses from the other side. Canada managed a poor 129 from their first innings, with Rizwan Cheema's unbeaten 46 being the pick of the bunch (and one of only three scores to reach double figures). Zimbabwe's bowlers produced a team effort, with Ed Rainsford and Tendai Chatara bagging three each and Shingi Masakadza and Timycen Maruma each bagging a pair.

Zimbabwe XI's first innings was for the most part a story of starts that didn't go on, but a stand-out knock of 177 by Craig Ervine - his second ton in two matches - helped push the side to 351 before he was finally stumped, the last wicket to fall. That Shingi Masakadza's 35 was the next-highest score underlines the continuing frailty of Zimbabwe's batting, though, and is a problem that remains to be addressed. Umar Bhatti took 6/98 for Canada, but despite his best efforts the home side were left with a mountain to climb even to make Zimbabwe bat again.

It was a mountain they failed to conquer, as Canada's second innings was barely better than the first. Hamza Tariq was the top-scorer this time around, scoring 39 before being run out, but a stellar performance from Shingi Masakadza (5/58) saw the home side bowled out for 149, well short of making Zimbabwe bat again, and that was all she wrote.

Full scorecard below the cut. Zimbabwe XI now move to second place in the tournament table, behind Scotland, who along with Ireland are our remaining opponents in the competition. Full scorecard below the cut.
Canada 129 (54.2 overs; Rizwan Cheema 46*, Chatara 3/21) & 149 (56.5 overs; Hamza Tariq 39, Masakadza 5/58), Zimbabwe XI 351 (97.1 overs; Ervine 177, Bhatti 6/98). Zimbabwe XI win by an innings and ?3 runs.