Pakistan tour a go after Zimbabwe players' wage row resolved

Zimbabwe Cricket, players union agree new deal, return to full training.

KARACHI: A dispute between Zimbabwe players and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) over wages has clouded the upcoming series against Pakistan that is scheduled to start from August 23, Cricinfo reported on Friday.

Zimbabwe's players have formed a players' union in a bid to present a united front in salary negotiations. Though it was reported later that after two days of meetings, the squad has returned to training and would be putting pen to paper on a new agreement on Saturday.

They have also boycotted their training camp ahead of the Pakistan series, until their demands are met.

The Managing Director of Zimbabwe Cricket Wilfred Mukondiwa confirmed that a players' association was in the works for the last few months but he did not expect one to be formed this quickly.

Mukondiwa said ZC have been in talks with the new body and expect a resolution over payment issues. The managing director remained confident the series against Pakistan would take place "as planned."

Earlier in the year, before the start of the Bangladesh series, Zimbabwe's players had threatened a boycott to protest unsatisfactory payments from Zimbabwe Cricket and an issue over contracts.

Shortly after that, batsman Craig Ervine had refused a winter contract with Zimbabwe and had opted to play club cricket in the UK.