Tatenda Taibu: stand-off in a travel agent © Getty Images

Tatenda Taibu's fractious relationship with Zimbabwe Cricket took another twist after he was allegedly involved in a row with Esther Lupepe, the board's general manager (finance and administration).

Taibu clashed with officials in 2005 and after he claimed that his family had been threatened, he turned his back of the national team. But after struggling to establish himself in a number of other countries, he made his peace in 2007 and resumed playing.

The latest incident took place as a result of Taibu attempting to claim money he maintains is owed as a result of his wife and son accompanying him on the tour to Pakistan earlier this year. ZC insists that to pay him would be giving him preferential treatment and so it has refused.

Lupepe and Taibu were seen embroilled in a heated argument in a Harare travel agent, although the incident surprised many as the former Zimbabwe captain is generally regarded as a placid individual.

"There was such an incident and it is being investigated and attended to in accordance with our procedure," said Lovemore Banda, the board's media manager.

It seems unlikely that anything will happen before the team leaves for the tour of Canada and Kenya next week, partly because of the time factor and partly because an already weakened squad desperately needs the experience that Taibu brings.