ICC to vote on Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's cricketing status should become clearer on Thursday as the ICC discuss the matter on the second day of their meeting.

The controversial issue was set to be debated Wednesday but it is thought it was pushed back to the end of the two-day meeting to prevent it impinging on other matters.

Outgoing ICC president Ray Mali decreed Zimbabwe should be discussed following the recent decision by South Africa to sever bilateral links with their neighbours.

England followed South Africa's lead and the British Government also outlawed the Zimbabweans' scheduled tour of the country next year.

It is thought a vote on whether Zimbabwe retain their full member status within the ICC will be taken at the end of the meeting, but the Asian bloc's opinions will be vital.

It will take a two-thirds majority to force expulsion and that would be avoided if, as expected, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka all side with Zimbabwe.

That would leave England with a potential problem over next year's World Twenty20, which they are due to host and for which Zimbabwe have been placed in Group A.

In other matters, reports have also claimed the result of the controversial fourth Test between England and Pakistan at The Oval could be changed.

England were declared the winners after Pakistan were deemed to have forfeited the match by umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove.

Pakistan had refused to return to the field after being accused of ball-tampering by Hair.

Now, after a campaign by Pakistan, the result could be declared a draw meaning England's series win would be recorded as 2-0 rather than 3-0.