Zimbabwe withdraw from Twenty20

12:43pm Friday 4th July 2008

ZIMBABWE'S decision to withdraw from next year's World Twenty20 boosts the chances of Ireland or Scotland qualifying for the event.

The issue of Zimbabwe's participation could have been a major stumbling block for the International Cricket Council after the British Government said it would not allow any team playing under the auspices of president Robert Mugabe to enter the country.

However, after two days of negotiation Zimbabwe's delegation at the ICCs Annual Conference in Dubai said they were to recommend to their own cricket board that the team withdrew from the tournament, while still maintaining their full member status.

That means three, rather than two, places have to be filled in the main event and with Ireland and Scotland both involved in the six-nation qualifying tournament in Belfast next month their chances of entry have suddenly improved.