HARARE, July 11: Zimbabwe is going “full steam” preparing to host India and New Zealand despite political clouds hovering over the series, Zimbabwe Cricket Union chief said on Monday. “The ground reality is that Zimbabwe cricket is continuing full steam with preparations for upcoming tours by New Zealand and India,” ZCU president Peter Chingoka said. Chingoka’s comments come amidst intense pressure on New Zealand Cricket (NZC) from its government to cancel next month’s tour as a mark of protest against President Robert Mugabe’s alleged anti-white policies.

ZCU president said Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had no such problem and had not even raised issue of security.

“BCCI is fully aware of and confident about the situation on the ground regarding security in Zimbabwe,” Chingoka said.

India, Zimbabwe and New Zealand play a one-day triangular series Aug 24-Sept 6 before India and Zimbabwe clash in two Tests.

It is essential New Zealand, also scheduled to play two Tests with Zimbabwe, take part in triangular series. A New Zealand boycott would throw entire Zimbabwe home season into disarray.

If New Zealand call off the trip, NZC may have to pay ZCU up to $50 million in compensation.

“Suffice to say here that we are confident that the situation will not arise,” said Chingoka.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff is leading the campaign to boycott Zimbabwe tour. He said his government would consider compensating NZC if it refused to host Zimbabwe for a return series in December.

While declining to comment on pressure tactics of New Zealand government, Chingoka referred to Future Tours Programme of ICC under which each of 10 Test-playing nations are bound to play a home and away series with each other in a five-year cycle.

“Our relationship is limited to NZC as fellow members of ICC. Both of us have a responsibility to live up to letter and spirit of ICC protocols, one of which is FTP.

“FTP was born out of the need to ensure that countries such as New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe get an equitable distribution of tours.

“Therefore, New Zealand has a bigger responsibility than most to ensure the success of FTP,” he said.

ZCU president also referred to another crucial ICC stipulation under which no scheduled series can be cancelled due to racism-related issues – a topic New Zealand government has raised.

“Furthermore, all Test nations are signatories to ‘ICC Anti-Racism Policy’, part of which reads: ‘The ICC and its members shall ensure that provisions of all ICC rules and regulations are applied without regard to race, colour, religion or national origin’,” wrote Chingoka.—Agencies