Kenya upset Zimbabwe during the World Cup second round

Organisers the Cricketers' Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) called on the two African sides at the last minute after South Africa pulled out with security fears over the war in Iraq.

Kenya were able to confirm their participation on Thursday but Zimbabwe were forced to wait for clearance from their Sports and Recreation Commission.

The tournament will now begin on 3 April, two days later than originally planned, with Zimbabwe and Pakistan playing the first match of a quadrangular format.

Each team will play the others once with the top two sides going on to the 10 April final.

Kenya are an official one-day international nation although they do not have Test status.

The East Africans beat both Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka on the way to a surprise place in the World Cup semi-finals.

"It's unfortunate that South Africa had to pull out, but we have put together an excellent tournament," CBFS chief executive Zahid Noorani said in a statement.

SHARJAH SCHEDULE Thurs 3 April: Pakistan v Zimbabwe Fri 4: Pakistan v Sri Lanka Sat 5: Kenya v Zimbabwe Sun 6: Kenya v Sri Lanka Mon 7: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe Tues 8: Kenya v Pakistan Thurs 10: Final All matches begin 1100GMT

"We have two World Cup semi-finalists and another team who reached the Super Six stage."

The Pakistan Cricket Board said it was perfectly willing to take part but made it clear the re-arranged tournament will not be played under the Sharjah Cup banner.

"The tournament is neither part of Pakistan Cricket Board's contract with CBFS nor it will be called as Sharjah Cup," a PCB statement said.

"The PCB has accepted the proposal to play in a revised format tournament because it feels that it would provide a good opportunity to its players to have a taste of international cricket."

Tournament organisers have turned down a request from Pakistan to allow batsman Saleem Elahi to join their squad as only 15 players are allowed per side.

Kenya Cricket Association chairman Jimmy Rayani said their team would comprise the World Cup squad "minus two or three players", although he did not specify which.

United Arab Emirates coach Abdi Ali will take temporary charge of Kenya as Sandeep Patil returned home to India when his contract expired after the World Cup.

Full story: D-day looms for Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe will decide this weekend whether to pull out of their scheduled tour of England in May, in retaliation for the boycotted World Cup match in Harare.

Zimbabwe squad: Heath Streak (capt), Grant Flower, Craig Wishart, Gavin Rennie, Travis Friend, Mluleki Nkala, Dion Ebrahim, Raymond Price, Douglas Hondo, Douglas Marillier, Stewart Matsikenyeri, Sean Ervine, Tatenda Taibu, Andy Blignaut.