Opposition leaders in Zimbabwe have condemned world cricket's governing body for sanctioning the staging of Cricket World Cup matches in their country.

The International Cricket Council have given the go ahead for six games to be staged in Zimbabwe - three in Harare and three in Bulawayo - next February and March.

But the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has called for a sporting boycott of the country to protest at the policies of president Robert Mugabe.

"By agreeing to stage the World Cup in Zimbabwe, despite the humanitarian crisis and unprecedented levels of institutionalised violence, the ICC are sending a callous message to the people of Zimbabwe," said spokesman Paul Themba Nyathi.

"Given the situation in Zimbabwe, to suggest that sport and politics must be treated separately is ludicrous; in the current context they are inter-linked.

"The ICC decision will directly assist Mugabe's efforts to disguise the horrifying reality of the crisis in Zimbabwe."

The MDC is now urging individual players to "follow their consciences" and refuse to travel to Zimbabwe.

But Richard Bevan of England's Professional Cricketers' Association had inidcated that he believes such a protest is unlikely.

"The players are aware of the serious issues in Zimbabwe," he said

"But at the end of the day, the guys are professional cricketers, they are contracted to the (England and Wales Cricket) Board, and if the Board says 'We're playing in Zimbabwe, the guys will be playing."

Zimbabwe Cricket Union president Peter Chingoka praised the ICC for resisting poltical pressure on them.

"For us, this is a very professional approach and we are happy that professionalism has won the day over those who were trying to get emotional and to drag politics into the game.

"We are delighted for Zimbabwe and for Africa and our co-hosting is going to help the game tremendously both in this country and on the continent," he said.