The England [Images] and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) cancelled on Wednesday Zimbabwe's tour of England next year.

In a statement the ECB said the government has given it "a clear instruction that Zimbabwe's bilateral tour scheduled under the ICC [Images] Future Tours Programme for 2009 should be cancelled".

The ECB said it has consequently suspended all bilateral arrangements with Zimbabwe Cricket.

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"The ECB deplores the position in Zimbabwe and, like Cricket South Africa, finds this untenable. Therefore all bilateral arrangements are suspended with Zimbabwe Cricket with immediate effect," the statement said.

"The ECB...welcome the Government's decision and share the Government's concerns about the deteriorating situation and lack of human rights in Zimbabwe."

Cricket South Africa has already suspended all bilateral programmes with its southern African neighbour and the International Cricket Council will discuss suspending Zimbabwe from international cricket at an executive meeting in Dubai next Wednesday.

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The Twenty20 World Cup, which at present includes Zimbabwe, will be staged in England next year.