HARARE, Dec 23: The embattled head of Zimbabwe cricket Peter Chingoka came under renewed pressure to stand down on Friday after a ban was introduced to prevent the national team from using the country’s seven major cricket grounds.

The ban was imposed by the chairman from the seven provinces that make up Zimbabwe Cricket in support of the players who on Thursday went out on strike.

The players downed tools and said they would not travel to next month’s Afro-Asian A-team tournament in Bangladesh unless Chingoka and managing director Ozias Bvute were dismissed, and monies owed to them were paid.

Their action was fully endorsed by Zimbabwe’s provinces.

Charles Robertson, head of the Country Districts province, said: “We want to give all the players our fullest support in their refusal to play in the Afro-Asian Cup tournament in Bangladesh next month, as well as the forthcoming under-23 tournament in South Africa.

“They took this decision because Chingoka and his managing director Osias Bvute are still running ZC and they want them removed.

“And we ourselves also want to oust Chingoka as well as Bvute so that an independent audit can be carried out into the dubious financial affairs of ZC. These two men are crippling the game here.”

The players were still awaiting a response from Chingoka after notifying him of their refusal to play in Bangladesh and South Africa.

Their representative Clive Field told AFP: “Neither our professional players’ chairman Blessing Mahwire nor I have yet heard from Chingoka. We are awaiting his reply.

“After all, this matter is extremely important and has had considerable repercussions.”

There is also still no word from the government minister responsible for sport, Aenos Chigwedere.

He has been considering a proposal by the great majority of Zimbabwe Cricket stakeholders — including directors, provinces, clubs and players — that four nominated independent administrators with wide cricket experience should be appointed temporarily to run the sport here while the government’s own Sports and Recreation Commission attempts to resolve the impasse.

The senior ZC director, retired High Court judge Ahmed Ebrahim, said: “We are still awaiting the minister’s decision on our proposal for the four — or five — appointments. It’s important we get it soon.”—AFP