Zimbabwean cricketer Henry Olonga, who protested at the rule of President Robert Mugabe by wearing a black armband while playing in the World Cup, is to claim asylum in Britain, the Sun reported on Monday.
Olonga (26) whose protest drew international attention, had been told he faced the death penalty over his protest, the tabloid reported.
The fast bowler has fled Zimbabwe and is thought to be hiding in South Africa. Olonga and Zimbabwean batsman Andy Flower both wore black armbands to protest against Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party. They both quit cricket after Zimbabwe’s loss to Sri Lanka on Saturday, and refused to return to Harare. Flower (34) has moved to England. – Sapa-DPA