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Cricket

Scotland replace Zimbabwe in World T20

20/08/2008

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that Zimbabwe will not take part in the World Twenty20 in England next year and will be replaced by Scotland.

The decision was taken at a meeting between officials from Zimbabwe Cricket and the ICC in Dubai today and follows an announcement earlier this summer where the Zimbabwean authority indicated its willingness to step back from the tournament due to significant public opposition.

The current political situation in Zimbabwe, where president Robert Mugabe is holding onto power despite pressure from the West for him to step down, would mean the team are unlikely to be granted entry to the United Kingdom.

As a result the decision has been taken to exclude Zimbabwe from the competition, in addition to the cancellation of the scheduled tour of England earlier in 2009.

In a statement, the ICC said the decision had been taken with a view to "the need to create certainty around the event".

And ICC president David Morgan confirmed Scotland would be the team granted entry to the tournament in Zimbabwe's stead.

"We are grateful to Zimbabwe Cricket for confirming the decision taken by its officials during annual conference week," he said.

"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."