Mehluli Sibanda in Harare—
THE Minister of Sport and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane has called upon Zimbabwe Cricket to preserve the excellent relations they enjoy with the Board of Control for Cricket in India which has seen the Asian cricket team visit the country twice in less than a year. Speaking at a dinner to welcome the Indian cricket team at a Harare hotel on Thursday, Minister Hlongwane called upon the Tavengwa Mukuhlani-headed ZC to maintain the bilateral relationship with the BCCI which is the most powerful board within the International Cricket Council. The minister said the presence of a world acclaimed star such as Indian long serving limited overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni can only improve the game in Zimbabwe. He pointed out that without India’s support, Zimbabwe would not have been an international cricket team it is today.
“To Mukuhlani and the rest of the ZC board I urge you to jealously guard the relations with the Indian cricket board. Having Mahendra Singh Dhoni in our country even for just a day means a lot to us. It would be amiss for me not to acknowledge the support of sponsors for making this tour possible and also send my appreciation to all service providers, volunteers, government departments such as Zimbabwe Republic Police and Immigration and ministries such as that of Information, Media and Information Services and all the many others I can’t mention by name but whose contribution has made it possible for Zimbabwe Cricket to host what we in no doubt is going to be a successful tour,’’ said Hlongwane.
He wished the two teams all the best in their limited overs series starting today.
Mukuhlani expressed his gratitude to the BCCI seeing that India tours Zimbabwe more than they visit any ICC full Member. He described Zimbabwe as India’s second home. The ZC boss said they were tenacious in their effort to maintain the rapport they have with the BCCI.
“We’re eternally grateful for their presence (India). I doubt however that we’ll extend the hospitality onto the cricket field, I’m sure captain Graeme Cremer and the rest of the Zimbabwean boys will put up a good fight. We’re unfaltering in our commitment to our bilateral relations with the BCCI. To the cricket loving fans in Zimbabwe, brace yourself for a truly unforgettable experience,’’ said Mukuhlani.
Zimbabwe and India clash in three ODI matches and the same number of Twenty20 Internationals from today until 22 June with all the fixtures scheduled for Harare Sports Club. In July last year, India visited the country for three ODIs and two T20Is. The tourists clean swept the home team in the ODIs while the T20Is series ended 1-1.