The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has called off the limited overs tour to Zimbabwe next month citing broadcasting issues and fatigue factors, it was reported on Monday.
India were scheduled to play three One-Day Internationals and two Twently20 Internationals in Zimbabwe from July 10.
The fatigue of the Indian players, who have been playing continuous cricket over the past six to seven months, and the ongoing issues between the BCCI and broadcaster Ten Sports are said to be the two big reasons behind India's decision to call off the tour.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) had stated that the Board chairman and chief executive officer will look to resolve the issue during their scheduled discussions with BCCI officials on the sidelines of the International Cricket Council's annual conference, starting in Barbados, on Monday.
"There have been reports that an issue over Zimbabwe Cricket's broadcasting partner is threatening the forthcoming India tour to Zimbabwe. The position is that ZC is in constant contact with both the BCCI and Ten Sports, over issues which should be resolved before the tour," the ZC release had stated on Sunday.
"If the matters take too long to resolve, ZC and the BCCI might mutually agree to push the tour to next year," ZC chairman Wilson Manase had said.
The release also said that ZC is yet to approach the local immigration authorities for the facilitation of visas because the memorandum of understanding of the tour was still being worked out between the two Boards.
India suffered their first-ever series defeat against Bangladesh on Sunday after the hosts claimed a six-wicket win in Dhaka to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Photograph: Reuters
