The warning has been issued by tournament director Dr Ali Bacher and follows Australia's decision to pull out of their tour to Zimbabwe because of safety concerns.

Zimbabwe is due to host six games during the tournament in Harare and Bulawayo, with Australia, England, Pakistan and India all due to play there.

"We will do everything possible to make sure those matches take place in Zimbabwe.

"However, any decision on the games being played there won't be our own decision," Bacher explained.

"We will have to consult the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, the International Cricket Council and, in particular, the South African government."

Alternative venues

Tickets for the tournament are due to go on sale in July, so organisers will need to be satisfied that appropriate security measures for the teams are in place by then.