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Zimbabwe snatched victory from Canada in the 3rd Al Barakh Cup match this evening, after a tie after 20 overs each led to the match being decided through a bowl-out.

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field, and took early blood when Canadian opener Mulla fell to Elton Chigumbura on the first ball of the match. Rizwan Cheema then went to town on the Zim bowling, smashing 23 off 11 balls before being dealt with by Chigumbura (2/31 from three overs), with Mohammad Iqbal and Abdool Samad both chipping in to take Canada to 71/4 at the halfway mark, helped by some uninspired bowling decisions by Utseya who again places far too much trust in Keith Dabengwa (0/25 from three overs) and failed to use his in-form bowlers to full effect. Canada ended their innings on 135/7 - higher than they should have been allowed to reach, but within Zimbabwe's grasp.

In reply, Cephas Zhuwawo's international debut stuck all the wrong notes as he was removed on his first ball faced, but Hamilton Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha and Tatenda Taibu all played their part to help Zimbabwe get off to a respectable start, with Taibu's 37 being the best of the Zimbabwean scores. A typical Zimbabwe Collapse™ in the middle-order took the wind out of their innings, though, and left Canada in the driving seat. Elton Chigumbura's 30 put Zim back within a shot of the target, but the 10 runs required from the final over proved too much for Zim, who ended with their score level with Canada's - and they had a fielding error by a Canadian player to thank for even that.

This being Twenty20, ties aren't permitted, and so the match was decided on a bowl-out - Zimbabwe comfortable won that 3-1, but if truth be told Zimbabwe should never have allowed Canada to gain the upper hand in this match, and should never have allowed themselves to be taken to a bowl-out in the first place - the side is better than this, but poor on-field decisions (also pointed out by Alastair Campbell during his commentary on the match) saw Zimbabwe blow their advantage, just as they did against Sri Lanka. A very poor performance.

Full scorecard below the cut.
Canada 135/7 (20 overs; Jethi 24, Chigumbura 2/31), Zimbabwe 135/9 (20 overs; Taibu 37, Baidwan 3/27). Scores Tied; Zimbabwe win after bowl-out (Canada 1, Zimbabwe 3).

Zimbabwe snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the opening match of the Al Barakh Cup in Canada, as Sri Lanka were let off the hook courtesy of some poor decisions by captain Prosper Utseya.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field after a wet outfield delayed the start of the match and saw it reduced to 17 overs per side. Opener Stuart Matsikenyeri saw the side off to a disappointing start, dismissed for just 1 run, but decent performances by Hamilton Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha and Tatenda Taibu steadied the innings, with Taibu putting problems back home behind him to top-score with 45 not out. From there, though, it was all downhill, as Mendis (at 3/15 the best of the Sri Lankan bowlers) dealt with the lower order to restrict Zim to 107 runs from their 17 overs.

In reply, Sri Lanka got off to a flyer as Udawatte and Dilshan put on 36 for the opening wicket, as Utseya's decision to open the bowling with Chris Mpofu quickly backfired, with Mpofo going for 26 runs off his two overs bowled - needless to say he wasn't brought back. Tawanda Mupariwa (18/0) and Ray Price (2/9) reigned the scoring back in during the middle of the innings, with Price's wickets giving Zimbabwe the upper hand again, but once again a suspect decision by Utseya saw them throw away their advantage - with Sri Lanka needing better than a run a ball and with Chigumbura and Mupariwa still with overs in hand, Keith Dabengwa was brought on - a second-string bowler at best, and Sri Lanka quickly punished that decision, on their way to reaching their target with an over to spare.

On the plus side, Sri Lanka were made to work for their victory - but at the end of the day, they didn't win so much as Zimbabwe conspired to lose. They had this match for the taking, and bad captaincy lost it for them. Very disappointing.

Full scorecard below the cut.
Zimbabwe 106/9 (17/17 overs; Taibu 45*, Mendis 3/15), Sri Lanka 107/5 (16/17 overs; Dilshan 33, Price 2/9). Sri Lanka win by 5 wickets .

It gets worse and worse for former Zim captain Tatenda Taibu, as New Zimbabwe reports that he's now facing formal assault charges over his altercation with ZC administrator Esther Lupepe. The site reports that an initial hearing was held in Harare on Monday, with his defence seeking a postonement to 7 November. Taibu is currently out on police bail.
New Zimbabwe - Taibu to fight assault charge

The Zimbabwe side are due to leave for Canada today, but there's confusion over whether the proper visa paperwork is in place to allow the side to travel. CricInfo reports that the Canadian Embassy in Harare has yet to issue visa, citing Canadian government reluctance to allow sporting ties with Zimbabwe at present; but organisers of the Canada Cup maintain that visas were issued on October 3rd (Friday past) and that the team will be travelling as planned. We'll know for sure soon enough, but if true it's disappointing to see politics raise its head again. It's understood that Bermuda are on standby to replace Zimbabwe should the team be unable to take part.
CricInfo - Confusion over Zimbabwe visas

CricInfo reports that Tatenda Taibu, under investigation by ZC over allegations of "manhandling" a female administrator, has withdrawn from the side's tour to Canada and Kenya. Taibu apparently stated to team manager Givemore Makoni that his wife was unwell. With the side due to leave for Canada today (visa issues permitting - see separate news item for details of that), it's unlikely that a replacement will be selected.

ZC have set up an independent committee, convened by ZC deputy MD Wilfred Mukondiwa, to investigate the charges against Taibu, although the committee members have yet to be named.
CricInfo - Taibu withdraws from tour

UPDATE: It now appears that Taibu has been talked out of his decision to withdraw, and reportedly left for Canada with the rest of the side earlier today.

Former Zim captain Tatenda Taibu is in hot water after apparently manhandling ZC finance & administration manager Esther Lupepe. The incident, reported by The Herald last week, happened at a travel agency in Harare's Avenues district, where Taibu was apparently rowing with Lupepe over money he claims he's owed by the board (Taibu took his family to Pakistan during Zim's tour there earlier in the year, and apparently is expecting ZC to foot the bill for this). ZC have confirmed that the incident took place, but will most likely not result in any action being taken before the Canada & Kenya tour gets underway.
The Herald - Taibu Manhandles ZC General Manager

ZC have named their 15-man squad for the upcoming trip to Canada and Kenya, after a delay apparently related to trying to co-opt Brendan Taylor into the squad. His absence from the squad list shows they weren't successful.

The only real surprise is the inclusion of Cephas Zhuwawo (or "Cephas Who?", as the Zimbabwe Independent perhaps meanly titled their article on him), who has been included as the side's specialist T20 player after some good performances against Pakistan Academy.

The Independent also has an interview with Prosper Utseya ahead of the tour. He realises that the Associate sides they'll be playing shouldn't be underestimated, and plans to show them no mercy:

"Yes they will want to prove a point. We must take it as a challenge. We need to keep it simple…thrash them and silence them. For the past three months we have been preparing hard for this. I can safely say we are ready."

He's also looking for more consistency from the side, and for his senior players to step up to the plate:

I think (the) guys need to be consistent and play to win all the time. If we can get all the senior guys averaging 40 plus in both tournaments we will come right. The senior guys will also be useful in the field. I will need their help. To be a good captain you need to ask for their advice and they should in turn give you good advice."

There's more in the interview that's worth reading - see the link below. It's good to see him clearly fired up for both series, which will provide the side with their first full international cricket since February. Here's hoping there are some good results on the way.

The final squad is: Prosper Utseya (captain), Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tatenda Taibu, Chamu Chibhabha, Ray Price, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Keith Dabengwa, Regis Chakabva, Taurai Muzarabani, Chris Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa, Timycen Maruma, Graeme Cremer, Cephas Zhuwawo.
Zimbabwe Cricket - Zimbabwe squad for Canada and Kenya announced
Zimbabwe Independent - Cephas Who...? | Prosper Utseya Speaks On Captaincy And Future

ZC have named an 18-man provisional squad for the upcoming tours of Canada and Kenya. There are a few surprises in the list, with Vusi Sibanda and Sean Williams both absent (Sibanda is carrying a hip injury, while Williams is reportedly being linked with an appearance for SA franchise side Highveld Lions). Brendan Taylor is also not on the list, although given his contact wranglings that's probably not surprising.

There's also a surprise return for Ed Rainsford, who has spent several years out in the cold now - it seems the need to have some decent pace in the bowling attack has necessitated his return, and not before time. The squad is due to be whittled down to 15 before the side departs, but from the moment the named players are:
Prosper Utseya (captain), Stuart Matsikenyeri, Ray Price, Tatenda Taibu, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Tawanda Mupariwa, Chris Mpofu, Chamu Chibhabha, Keith Dabengwa, Graeme Cremer, Edward Rainsford, Regis Chakabva, Timycen Maruma, Taurai Muzarabani, Johnson Marumisa, Bonaparte Mujuru, Trevor Garwe.
Zimbabwe Independent - Zim Set To Tour With Depleted Side

Following the resignation of CSA President Norman Arendse, and changes in the political situation in Zimbabwe, it's reported that Cricket South Africa will review their bilateral arrangements with ZC at their October board meeting. Bilateral ties were cut a few months ago as a result of the post-election uncertainty in Zim, with Arendse being a key force behind moves to isolate Zimbabwe. With him now gone, and a power-sharing deal signed (if not yet fully in place), the groundwork has been laid for a resumption of ties.

It's probably too late now for Zimbabwe Provinces to take their place in this season's SAA Provincial competitions, but it may still be possible for Zimbabwe Chevrons to take part in the MTN Domestic Championship and/or Standard Bank Pro20 competitions - although we'll need to await the outcome of October's meeting to know for sure.
Zimbabwe Standard - SA to Review ZC Ties

ZC have been ordered to pay match fees outstanding to Gavin Ewing from the 2005 series against India, New Zealand and Kenya. Ewing had refused to hand back his ZC car in the dispute over the outstanding fees, which arose when ZC decided to pay players in Zimbabwe dollars instead of in foreign currency, as required by player contracts at the time. According to the Sunday News:

The matter, which had been pending at the High Court in Harare, was finalised last month in favour of Ewing. ZC were ordered to pay what they owed the player and were given a time in which to settle.
In return, Ewing was directed to return the car issued to him by ZC when he was still contracted to the cricket mother body.

Ewing is the first of a number of players with outstanding court cases to have a judgement issued. Heath Streak, Stuart Carlisle, Andy Blignaut and Dion Ebrahim all have outstanding cases relating to the same series.
Sunday News - Ewing wins case against ZC