AUCKLAND, July 8: New Zealand’s national cricket team will reject government calls to abandon a tour to Zimbabwe in August because of alleged human rights abuses by regime of President Robert Mugabe.

New Zealand government is lobbying International Cricket Council (ICC), to drop African country from its tour schedule.

New Zealand Cricket Inc. says quitting could cost NZ$50 million ($34 million) in fines, lost sponsorship and television deals.—PPI