EXCLUSIVE: Former Under-19 World Cup star Nungu one of two young Zimbabwean cricketers suspended for ‘cannabis’ abuse

BY SPORTSCAST WRITER

HARARE – Sportscast can exclusively reveal bowler Nkosilathi Nungu as one of two players suspended on Tuesday for three months by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) after being caught using a “recreational drug in an out-of-competition case.”

This website has been told that the substance in question is cannabis, which the two players inhaled at a “private residential complex”, according to Zimbabwe’s cricket governing body.

Promising 22-year-old medium-fast bowler Nungu was a member of Zimbabwe’s squad at the 2018 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, and was touted back then as one of the southern African country’s fast bowling prospects in the near future.

From that Under-19 World Cup side of 2018, four of Nungu’s teammates have since been capped by Zimbabwe at senior level in both Test and white-ball formats. These are the inform Chevrons prodigy Wessly Madhevere alongside Milton Shumba, Tanunurwa Makoni and Dion Myers.

As for Nungu, he has to date played one first-class, 10 List ‘A’ and six T20 domestic matches in Zimbabwe’s league – all for Masvingo-based side Southern Rocks.

Nungu’s partner in the drug incident hasn’t been revealed yet, but ZC, in a statement, has downplayed the intensity of the offence by not disclosing the identity of both young players.

“The two players were summoned to appear for a disciplinary hearing after they were reported to ZC by a concerned citizen who caught them red-handed partaking in suspected substance abuse within the premises of a private residential complex,” wrote ZC, adding: “The Disciplinary Committee noted that had they committed the offence in competition, they would have been charged under ZC’s anti-doping rules and attracted stiffer sanctions, including a ban of up to two years. The two players are first-time offenders and ZC has opted to keep their identities confidential in order to give them the best chance of rehabilitation.”