Zimbabwe exempts Rajput from Pakistan tour on India’s request

Harare: Zimbabwe bowling coach Douglas Hondo will lead the side during their six-match limited-overs tour of Pakistan after head coach Lalchand Rajput opted not to travel with the squad. Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) said in a statement they had been contacted by the Embassy of India in Harare, requesting that Rajput be exempted from the tour “in accordance with the travel guidelines stipulated by the Government of India for its citizens”. ZC also confirmed that Rajput had received a visa from the Embassy of Pakistan, refuting various reports that suggested he had been denied. The 58-year-old Rajput, who played two Tests and four ODIs for India, was appointed as Zimbabwe’s coach in August 2018. Zimbabwe will play three ODIs starting October 30. Agencies