The tri-nation series Bangladesh planned to host in September involving Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh fell into clearly an uncertainty after International Cricket Council (ICC) unanimously decided to suspend Zimbabwe Cricket Board (ZCB) for the interference of the government on the elected body of their cricket board.

As a consequence of suspension, ICC funding to Zimbabwe Cricket will be frozen and representative teams from Zimbabwe will not be allowed to participate in any ICC events.

Recently a government body that oversees the sport of the country suspended ZCB after allegations of corruption on June 22. The sports and recreation commission ordered the ZCB not to hold elections for leadership positions until an investigation was conducted but the board defied the order.

In such circumstances, Zimbabwe can’t send their team in Bangladesh, as a result, the series is not being held in scheduled timeframe.

It’s learnt from ICC press release that Zimbabwe Cricket has been suspended with immediate effect. The ICC Board unanimously decided that Zimbabwe Cricket, an ICC Full Member, is in breach of Article 2.4 (c) and (d) of the ICC Constitution which imposes an obligation on Members to provide a process for free and democratic elections and to ensure that there is no government interference in its governance and / or administration for cricket respectively.

The ICC has directed that the elected Zimbabwe Cricket Board be reinstated to office within three months, and progress in this respect will be considered again at the October Board meeting.

The ICC Board heard from both the Sports and Recreation Committee representatives of the Zimbabwe Government and Zimbabwe Cricket before making their decision.

 “We do not take the decision to suspend a member lightly, but we must keep our sport free from political interference. What has happened in Zimbabwe is a serious breach of the ICC constitution and we cannot allow it to continue unchecked,” ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar said.

“The ICC wants cricket to continue in Zimbabwe in accordance with the ICC constitution,” Manohar iterated in the ICC board meeting in London.

Before going to London to attend ICC meeting, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said regarding the tri-series fate that ICC can take the decision what they have taken in the past regarding Zimbabwean players.

Nizamuddin also said that the tri-series is a part of FTP and their preparation for the series will not be held off.

“It depends on International Cricket Council (ICC) what type of decision they take in this regard,” said Nizamuddin Chowdhury.

“As per the commitment, the FTP has been prepared. Accordingly, Afghanistan will come here in our country and play Test series. Along with that, we’ve plans to arrange a tri-nation with the involvement of Zimbabwe and Afghanistan,” Chowdhury told media.