Zimbabwe have been persuaded to pull out of the World Twenty20 in England next summer.

The ICC has been discussing its future at a board meeting in Dubai after England and South Africa broke off cricketing relations last week.

But the sport's governing body has decided Zimbabwe will not be suspended from international cricket.

The ICC's decision should end any doubts about England hosting next year's World Twenty20 tournament.

The England and Wales Cricket Board stated earlier this week it will not host a tour by Zimbabwe next year because of the close links between Zimbabwe Cricket and the regime of president Robert Mugabe.

This was after Cricket South Africa broke off relations with their near neighbours because of the political situation in the country.

But support was growing in the sub-continent, with India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka set to throw their backing behind Zimbabwe.

Niranjan Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, was quoted as saying this week: "There is no reason to remove Zimbabwe.

"We understand England's position because their government wants Zimbabwe out but we will back Zimbabwe to stay in the ICC."

The Pakistan Cricket Board, meanwhile, has made it clear it will send its A team on a tour to Zimbabwe in August as scheduled, irrespective of any action taken by the ICC.