Zimbabwe cricketers ready to play for free: Details here

The ICC suspended Zimbabwe with immediate effect, following interference from the government into their cricketing board.

As a result, ICC's funding to Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has been frozen for now.

Meanwhile, as per the rules, they would not be able to participate in any of the ICC events during their suspension tenure.

However, they can still continue to play bilateral cricket.

Cricket being one of the major sports in Zimbabwe, the players have expressed their desire to play for free.

However, they would like to be paid for it later rather than never.

"We will play qualifiers for the sake of cricket staying alive and for free but to be paid late and not never," said a senior player to ESPNCricinfo.

Although suspended, Zimbabwe can still play international cricket, and the ICC would continue to provide match officials for them.

However, the players would have to play for free, until their suspension ends.

Also, the board would have to bear the cost of hosting a team.

Meanwhile, The Sports and Recreation Commission has set up an interim committee with a contingency plan for player welfare.

Although the Zimbabwe players are ready to play for free, their dream of playing the World T20 qualifiers relies on the ICC.

Until the ICC lifts the suspension, they won't be able to play the qualifiers.

They are also unlikely to host Afghanistan in August, while their tour of Bangladesh in September too seems doubtful.

Their home-series against Windies in October-November hangs in balance.

As of now, the ICC has given time until October 8 for ZC to come up with a satisfactory response that the board is working independently, without any external interference.

Provided a satisfactory response, the ICC would consider reviewing the membership in its next meeting.

However, the ICC has warned that failing to come up with a proper answer would further jeopardize their chances.