Zimbabwe Cricket has warned its decision to withdraw from next summer's World Twenty20 in England should not be taken as a precedent.
The England and Wales Cricket Board - and many of its counterparts around the world - breathed a sigh of relief when it was confirmed on Friday the economically-stricken African nation intended to opt out of the second Twenty20 world championships.
Had it not elected to do so, the British government was almost certain to refuse to allow its players entry to the UK, on account of the human rights abuses perpetrated in their country under the regime of president Robert Mugabe.
Friday's decision came during the second day of the International Cricket Council's annual meeting in Dubai, during which it is thought there was a split over whether to strip Zimbabwe of full member status.
This apparent compromise solution means the World Twenty20 can still go ahead in England - fears were growing it would have to be switched elsewhere - while Zimbabwe retain the privileges and financial backing that come with full ICC membership.
The ICC released a statement in which it was made clear Zimbabwe Cricket considered the issue as a one-off.
"The Zimbabwe delegation have agreed to take this decision in the greater interest of world cricket and the ICC," the statement read.
"This recommendation should be viewed as a one-off and will not be taken as a precedent."
The Zimbabwe delegation in Dubai must still get their recommendation rubber-stamped by the country's cricket board, but it is highly unlikely to be rejected.
"The delegation have undertaken to report back on the decision of their board to the ICC within one month," the statement continued.
"The delegation will report to their board that they will not suffer financially as a result of their non-participation in the ICC World Twenty20 2009."
The announcement unsurprisingly found favour with the boards of England and South Africa - who began the recent chain of events by cutting cricketing ties with Zimbabwe last week - as well as Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
"This will allow the Twenty20 tournament in England to go ahead," the PM declared. "It also sends a powerful message to Zimbabwe that the government must change or face further isolation."
While the ICC is setting up a trouble-shooting sub-committee to head off any fresh problems with regard to Zimbabwe, the ECB is highly satisfied with the turn of events.
ECB chairman Giles Clarke told BBC Radio 5 Live: "This has been a complex series of negotiations, and I'm very pleased we have reached the agreement we have.
"We had long discussions with all our colleagues in the ICC over the last three days.
"We made it absolutely clear how we saw the situation, and I'm very grateful to everybody for recognising the way forward."
Zimbabwe's decision to withdraw boosts the chances of Ireland or Scotland qualifying.
Three, rather than two, places must now be filled by associate members - and Ireland and Scotland will take part in the qualifying tournament in Belfast next month.
New ICC president David Morgan admitted, meanwhile, that - had Zimbabwe's full member status been suspended - there would have been the spectre of a legal challenge.
But he reported those considerations played no part in negotiations.
"It was quite clear there was no appetite to ban or suspend Zimbabwe for political reasons," he told Sky Sports
The England and Wales Cricket Board - and many of its counterparts around the world - breathed a sigh of relief when it was confirmed on Friday the economically-stricken African nation intended to opt out of the second Twenty20 world championships.
Had it not elected to do so, the British government was almost certain to refuse to allow its players entry to the UK, on account of the human rights abuses perpetrated in their country under the regime of president Robert Mugabe.
Friday's decision came during the second day of the International Cricket Council's annual meeting in Dubai, during which it is thought there was a split over whether to strip Zimbabwe of full member status.
This apparent compromise solution means the World Twenty20 can still go ahead in England - fears were growing it would have to be switched elsewhere - while Zimbabwe retain the privileges and financial backing that come with full ICC membership.
The ICC released a statement in which it was made clear Zimbabwe Cricket considered the issue as a one-off.
"The Zimbabwe delegation have agreed to take this decision in the greater interest of world cricket and the ICC," the statement read.
"This recommendation should be viewed as a one-off and will not be taken as a precedent."
The Zimbabwe delegation in Dubai must still get their recommendation rubber-stamped by the country's cricket board, but it is highly unlikely to be rejected.
"The delegation have undertaken to report back on the decision of their board to the ICC within one month," the statement continued.
"The delegation will report to their board that they will not suffer financially as a result of their non-participation in the ICC World Twenty20 2009."
The announcement unsurprisingly found favour with the boards of England and South Africa - who began the recent chain of events by cutting cricketing ties with Zimbabwe last week - as well as Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
"This will allow the Twenty20 tournament in England to go ahead," the PM declared. "It also sends a powerful message to Zimbabwe that the government must change or face further isolation."
While the ICC is setting up a trouble-shooting sub-committee to head off any fresh problems with regard to Zimbabwe, the ECB is highly satisfied with the turn of events.
ECB chairman Giles Clarke told BBC Radio 5 Live: "This has been a complex series of negotiations, and I'm very pleased we have reached the agreement we have.
"We had long discussions with all our colleagues in the ICC over the last three days.
"We made it absolutely clear how we saw the situation, and I'm very grateful to everybody for recognising the way forward."
Zimbabwe's decision to withdraw boosts the chances of Ireland or Scotland qualifying.
Three, rather than two, places must now be filled by associate members - and Ireland and Scotland will take part in the qualifying tournament in Belfast next month.
New ICC president David Morgan admitted, meanwhile, that - had Zimbabwe's full member status been suspended - there would have been the spectre of a legal challenge.
But he reported those considerations played no part in negotiations.
"It was quite clear there was no appetite to ban or suspend Zimbabwe for political reasons," he told Sky Sports
