Magistrate Sandra Nhau said although Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) committed the offence "not for the personal gain of individuals but to further the interests of the sport in the country" it was in breach of the law.

The body 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 Mabahwana told the court at the beginning of the trial on Monday that between November 2004 and September last year, Zimbabwe Cricket had paid Britain-based television production company Octagon CSI 1.3 million dollars (976,629 euros) for advertising and marketing services.