Malcolm Speed: ' We 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' © Getty Images

England's plans to host the ICC World Twenty20 in 2009 would be threatened if the UK government imposes a ban on the Zimbabwe side entering the country.

Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, told the BBC that it was a condition of hosting an ICC event that all member teams would be able to play.

"We 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.

"However, at the moment all we have are media reports, so I would say that all this remains speculative. The board next meets in March so to suggest what action might be taken would be premature."

A source close to the ICC told Cricinfo 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.