Zimbabwe out of world Twenty20

11:04pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

Zimbabwe have confirmed they will take no part in next summer's World Twenty20 in England.

Scotland will join the elite tournament instead, after the International Cricket Council and Zimbabwe Cricket on Wednesday ratified a decision initially agreed at the world governing body's annual conference in Dubai two months ago.

Contrary to reports that Zimbabwe were beginning to waver on the offer to withdraw they made back in June, they and ICC president David Morgan, vice-president Sharad Pawar and chief executive Haroon Lorgat have agreed the arrangement will stand.

The ICC averted a potential crisis when it emerged from the annual conference that Zimbabwe were prepared to forego their place at the Twenty20.

The British Government had already cancelled a bi-lateral one-day international series between England and Zimbabwe in this country, scheduled at the start of next summer, on account of the disgraced regime of Robert Mugabe which still prevails in the African country.

It was therefore highly unlikely Britain would issue visas to Zimbabwe players and officials for the World Twenty20.

A consensus appeared beyond the ICC member countries, with an Asian block vote favouring Zimbabwe - and it was therefore championed as a winning compromise when ZC agreed unilaterally to opt out.

After Wednesday's confirmation, Morgan reiterated: "We are grateful to Zimbabwe Cricket for confirming the decision taken by its officials during annual conference week.

"This allows the ICC the opportunity to plan with certainty the ICC World Twenty20 2009 - as well as giving Scotland, the side set to step up in Zimbabwe's place, plenty of preparation time ahead of the tournament."

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