A total of 22 players had been offered contracts, a statement said.

Also Read Zimbabwe suspends Test status Timeline: The Zimbabwe crisis

Andy Blignaut, a strong candidate to take over the vacant captaincy, is among the 16, the statement said.

It said Test opening batsman Stuart Matsikenyeri had declined the offer of a contract.

Zimbabwe's players began a strike over unpaid wages on December 22. Zimbabwe's Test status was last month suspended until 2007.