zimcricketnews.com

Speaking to BBC Sport, ICC Chief Executive Malcom Speed confirmed that England's deal to host the 2009 World Twenty20 would be at risk if the UK Government prevented Zimbabwe from taking part:

"It's a condition of hosting an ICC event that all member teams can play. We (the ICC) haven't yet had to deal with a situation whereby a country isn't allowed by the host nation's government to take part in an ICC event. If that happens, the board would have to meet and take whatever action it deems necessary."

CricInfo also reports that sources within the ICC have confirmed that...

"...it was inconceivable that the competition would proceed without Zimbabwe and that contingency measures would be drawn up to enable the tournament to be switched should the need arise."

BBC Sport - England Warned over Zimbabwe | CricInfo - ICC warns England over Zimbabwe exclusion