Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), represented by the association's accountant Anesu Kafesu, pleaded guilty to making unauthorised payments to a foreign television company without the go-ahead from the central bank.

The southern African country, reeling under record inflation and a serious shortage of essential goods, fuel and foreign currency, has introduced strict laws on foreign payments which need central bank approval.

State prosecutor Obi Mabah-wana said between November 2004 and September last year the body had paid Britain-based television production company Octagon CSI 1.3 million US dollars for advertising and marketing services.

Mabahwana said in the second charge ZC sold advertising space at Harare sports club to 7Cs, a South Africa-based company, in May 2005.

For unspecified reasons, it cancelled the contract with the firm and entered into another deal with Gameplan Limited, based in India.

"The accused (ZC) then directed Gameplan Limited to pay 75,000 US dollars to 7Cs for breach of contract without the permission of the exchange control authority," the prosecutor told magistrate Sandra Nhau.

The association is also accused of paying 42,930 US dollars in college fees for three cricket players and a manager's daughter who were pursuing studies overseas.

The cricket body's lawyer, Wilson Manase, said it breached the law unknowingly.