DUBAI: The ICC decided to readmit Zimbabwe as its members following the conclusion of the Board meetings at Dubai.

The apex body of the game took the massive decision after a meeting between chairman Shashank Manohar, chief executive Manu Sawhney, Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani, Zimbabwe Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry and Gerald Mlotshwa, the Chairman of the Sports and Recreation Commission.

Earlier this year in July, the ICC had suspended ZC due to government interference in the board’s activities. The ICC had also frozen its funds to Zimbabwe Cricket in addition to barring the representative teams from Zimbabwe from participating in ICC events. Consequently, Zimbabwe could not participate in Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in August and the Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi.

However, the African nation has now received the green light from the ICC to resume normal cricket activities. They are now eligible to take their place in the Men’s Under-19 World Cup in January and the ICC Super League that begins later in 2020. Shashank Manohar said that Zimbabwe Sports Minister agreed to the conditions set down by the ICC which paved the way for the country’s reinstatement.

“I would like to thank the Zimbabwe Sports Minister for her commitment to the reinstatement of ZC,” Manohar said in an ICC statement. “Her desire to work in support of Zimbabwe Cricket was clear and she has unconditionally complied with the conditions set down by the ICC Board. Funding to Zimbabwe Cricket will continue to be on a controlled basis as part of a collective effort behind getting the game in Zimbabwe back on an even keel.”

“I would like to thank the Zimbabwe Sports Minister for her commitment to the reinstatement of Zimbabwe Cricket. Her desire to work in support of Zimbabwe Cricket was clear and she has unconditionally complied with the conditions set down by the ICC Board,” ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar said.

“Funding to Zimbabwe Cricket will continue to be on a controlled basis as part of a collective effort behind getting the game in Zimbabwe back on an even keel.”

In other decisions, ICC decided to increase the prize money for ICC women’s events by USD 2.6 million.

The increase follows a rise in the revenue generated by the sport, a proportion of which is assigned to prize money.

For the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia next year, the winners and runners up will now receive USD 1 million and USD 500,000 respectively — five times the amount on offer in 2018.

An overall 320 percent increase in the prize pot for 2020 (compared to 2018) will see every single one of the 10 competing teams receive significantly more as part of ongoing efforts to drive improved standards throughout the game and not just rewarding the top end.

There will also be a substantial increase in the money available for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2021 with the prize pot increasing to USD 3.5m from USD 2m in 2017.

The Board also approved the establishment of the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup with the first edition to be played in Bangladesh in 2021 and every two years after that.

“We want to build a long-term sustainable foundation for women’s cricket and that is about more than just prize money. It is about building a product that fans want to watch, that kids want to take up, that sponsors and broadcasters want to be part of,” ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said.

“Creating a Women’s U19 event also improves the pathway available to young cricketers and ensures they have the same opportunities as their male counterparts.

“This significant increase in prize money and the introduction of a Women’s U19 event is part of a much larger effort to grow the women’s game around the world.”

Zimbabwe will now be able to take up their place in the ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup in January and the ICC Super League later in 2020.

(Agencies)