2023-2031 FTP news, updates, etc

[Mr Twig]

I don't understand how Afghanistan are OK playing against UAE, and this is the second time they are playing bilaterals against them in less than 6 months but not against Zimbabwe!

Anyways, except for the games against the Afghans, I think all other series' in the FTP will most likely happen, but that is still not a good FTP. Need more fixtures and I hope ZCB can organize games against some top associates like Net, Sco, Nep, Oma, UAE and Nam. Will help a lot.

There was talk when the FTP was released that ZC were still in discussions with India, England and Australia for a bilateral series. Only England has come good so far (albeit just 1 Test).

I agree, we should be organising series against associates. I would start lower down against teams like Canada and Papua New Guinea and build confidence from there. Ideally, Zimbabwe should have organised a tour of Nepal or some games in the subcontinent against domestic teams in preparation for Sri Lanka. Of course ZC would have to pay for it all so it never happens.

As for Afghanistan, the last bilateral series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe was in Abu Dhabi in early 2021. Since then, three out of four tours from the FTP up until now have been postponed/cancelled with only one series taking place (the series with the ICC Super League ODIs that was postponed twice from 2020 & 2021 due to COVID). The other three series(December 2022 in Zimbabwe, June 2023 in Afghanistan and December 2023 in Zimbabwe) are a total mystery. Not one official announcement from either board regarding their status. Something has really gone bad with ZC's relationship with the ACB.

[cricket_22001]

Personally, I think the Afghans are milking the full status membership.
They cherry pick who they want to play, that’s why Zimbabwe are cut. It will be interesting to see if they host Ireland, Bangladesh & NZ as per FTP & tour Sri Lanka.
One saving grace is they meet full status standards by hosting a FC competition. Which is more than Ireland.
I am a supporter of expansion but I can’t help but think the Irish are fudging it. The world has moved on, they can’t use COVID anymore. If they don’t host a FC comp to some degree in 2024, then their status has to be questioned.
Mind you, FC comps are on the verge of extinction.

[secretzimbo]

Apparently Zimbabwe have entered men’s and women’s cricket teams into the Africa Games in Ghana in March?

[Marshmallow]

Namibia vs Zimbabwe rivalry again

[pillowprocter]

Wow, did not know cricket was included. I feel ZC should send over a development team, although unsure if the likes of Namibia and Uganda will participate?

[secretzimbo]

Apparently even SA have entered. And Namibia, Uganda etc. It's everyone.

[pillowprocter]

Well SA will obviously send a B team due to IPL. But I didn't expect there to be so much interest, especially because I'd think the cricket facilities in Ghana would be like Bulawayo div2

[sam_ahm]

Yeah I've read this too, so some more game time for the men, apparently this will also serve as the Africa Qualifier for 2028 Olympics. So something here to play for.

[secretzimbo]

I think the Olympic qualification bit may have got lost in translation somewhere by the organisers and is probably not the case. As much as I wish the 6 Olympic teams would be the Host + 5 Regional Qualifiers, I think there’s more chance of it snowing in Zimbabwe.

Pretty sure qualification will unfortunately end up being by on rankings and this may mark the start of the ranking period or something like that

[aydee]

The matches in the Asian Games recently were all T20Is, even though the major teams had clashes and couldn't send their best sides. I wonder if this will be the case here as well. If so, Zim need all the ranking points they can get! Should send more or less as strong a team as possible imo, as we know there will be at least 3 teams who would give Zim a proper game, even with a full strength team.