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Zimbabwe to retain ICC membership

04/07/2008

Zimbabwe will not be suspended from the International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body has said.

But the south African nation has agreed to pull out of next year's World Twenty20 championship in Britain.

The ICC has been meeting in Dubai this week to discuss Zimbabwe's status as a full member following political turmoil and condemnation of Robert Mugabe's regime.

Zimbabwe's withdrawal from the World Twenty20 is believed to be a compromise agreement driven by India, with other south Asian nations unwilling to throw Zimbabwe out.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had already been told by the British government Zimbabwean cricketers would not be welcomed in the country due to close ties between the country's cricketing authorities and Mr Mugabe.

A statement from the ICC on Friday after an unscheduled third day of talks said Zimbabwe had voluntarily withdrawn from next year's tournament.

"The Zimbabwe delegation has agreed to take this decision in the greater interest of world cricket and the ICC," the statement explained.

"This recommendation should be viewed as a one-off and will not be taken as a precedent."

Outgoing ICC president Ray Mali is also recommending a new committee be set up to advise the ICC board on all matters relating to Zimbabwean cricket.