Zimbabwe enters side into ICC competition

Zimbabwe Cricket has confirmed that it will enter an A side into the 2009-10 Intercontinental Cup, in accordance with the recommendations of the ICC's task force.

The initial fixtures for the seven-team competition have been announced but, so far, no fixtures including either Zimbabwe or Afghanistan have been included.

The ICC is believed to have contacted the other five participants and asked their governments' position on them sending teams to the two countries or even playing against them.

If there are problems, they are likely to come from the three European countries - Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland - as the European Union has blocks on certain senior ZC officials and issuing visas for Zimbabwe teams could prove problematical.

It is expected that Afghanistan's home matches will be staged in the UAE.