Zimbabwe remains a complex problem: CSA

Durban:

Although relieved that a "potential problem" was avoided courtesy Zimbabwe's withdrawal from the Twenty20 World Championship, Cricket South Africa on Sunday made it clear that the strife-torn country's future in ICC remains a "complex" issue which needs to be dealt with soon.

Cricket South Africa has snapped its ties with Zimbabwe Cricket and was among the boards that pushed for its expulsion from the ICC.

However, Zimbabwe was retained as a full member after the Asian bloc, led by India, opposed any move to take away full membership of the African country.

While welcoming the resolution of the uncertainty over the World Twenty20 Championship as a step in the right direction, CSA President Norman Arendse said the Zimbabwe issue remains on the table.

"Zimbabwe issue is difficult and complex and was discussed at length (by (ICC Executive Board). At least, the ICC decision extricates all Full Member countries from the potential problem of the Twenty20 tournament to be played in England in 2009. CSA can now look forward with confidence to participating in it," Arendse said in a statement on Sunday.

"The issue remains on the table, and that is why a sub-committee under Dr Julian Hunte of the West Indies has been appointed to engage Zimbabwe Cricket, and to report back to the Executive Board at its next meeting in October.

"CSA's recently articulated position in relation to Zimbabwe Cricket will, however, remain as it is until the Zimbabwe situation is resolved to the satisfaction of all parties concerned," he added.