ICC Intercontinental Cup and Shield

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 the light of our submission. While we await the ETC’s final decision, we will not issue any further comment on this matter." After its meeting, David Richardson, the ETC’s Chairman stated that “ It is disappointing that these two sides could not agree when or where to play their fixture and, for the integrity of the competition, these circumstances must not be allowed to happen again. However, taking into account all of the circumstances that have been presented to the ETC in this case, we are prepared to accept ZC’s unequivocal and unqualified statement of forfeiture and declare the match as forfeited. ” As a result, Scotland received 20 points and therefore qualified for the final against Afghanistan. There are many ways in which the statement from Zimbabwe Cricket and the decision of the ICC can be interpreted. Many will view the offer from Zimbabwe Cricket as extremely generous, perhaps recognising that Zimbabwe should not have been participating in a competition for Associate and Affiliate countries and that their players had achieved all that was expected in terms of experience. Others have expressed the view that the status of Zimbabwe’s cricket would not have been enhanced should they have lost the final against Afghanistan. The agreement of the ICC to Zimbabwe Cricket’s proposal leaves open two questions. One is whether it underlines a view that competitions involving Full-Member and Associate/Affiliate countries should be kept separate. The other is whether countries can now refuse to play against other countries for political reasons without fear of further sanctions. It is to be hoped that the decision made here is not used as precedent and that it is recognised simply as a pragmatic response, good for cricket, to a very generous offer. ZIMBABWE XI v SCOTLAND Harare Sports Club, Harare, September 26, 27, 28, 29, 2010. Scotland won on a walk-over. Points: Zimbabwe XI 0, Scotland 20 217 ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10