Zimbabwe get security 'all-clear', Pakistan tour goes ahead

Zimbabwe get security 'all-clear', Pakistan tour goes ahead

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ZIMBABWE will finally leave for Pakistan for five One Day International matches on Friday after its board approved the trip following security assurances from their Asian counterparts.

Zimbabwe are set to arrive in Karachi on Saturday, January 12, and play a four-day match at the city's DHA Stadium two days later.

Pakistan descended into violence after the assassination of charismatic opposition leader Benazir Bhutto last month, and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has been in constant communication with the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding the proposed trip.

ZC managing director Ozias Bvute confirmed the developments following a board meeting in Harare on Tuesday morning.

He said: “We have received the relevant security signals from the PCB, which the board looked over and we are happy to announce that a full Zimbabwe team will be travelling to Pakistan on Friday. The full team will be released on Thursday.

“As a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), we are also obliged under the Future Tours Programme to fulfill the trip.”

The trip was never in doubt, as Zimbabwe needs it more than Pakistan in their bid to return to Test cricket, perhaps this year. In any case, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are a single block when it comes to ICC Board meetings and any cancellation could have worked in favour of sworn enemies -- England, Australia and New Zealand.

South Africa has allowed Zimbabwe to send a representative side to their SuperSport Challenge series and the franchise games.

The first ODI will now be played in Karachi, on the January 21, as opposed to Hyderabad, which was the initial plan. But the Pakistan board has kept the venue and it is due to host the second ODI on the January 24. The remaining matches will be played in Multan, Faisalabad and Sheikhupura, the series ending on February 2.

Probable Zimbabwe Team

Prosper Utseya (CAPTAIN), Tymicen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams, Chris Mpofu, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Tatenda Taibu, Gary Brent, Elton Chigumbura, Vusi Sibanda, Ray Price, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Keith Dabengwa, Brendan Taylor
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