"Zimbabwe has decided to pull out of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup in the interest of the game," sources said on Friday.

ZCU's decision came before the International Cricket Council's Executive Committee could break the deadlock over its suspension at an extended meeting in Dubai on Friday.

It was also learnt that India persuaded Zimbabwe for the move and save its membership at a late-night meeting on Thursday.

The England and Wales Cricket Board's threat to boycott the T20 World Cup if Zimbabwe were a part of it as the British Government has taken a stance against the Zimbabwe government in the wake of political unrest there and also made it clear that their players would not be issued visas for the event.