The ICC has disgraced itself with it's conduct on the Zimbabwe issue (or non-issue in their opinion).
A) Mugabe's regime on some accounts is as brutal, if not more oppressive, than South Africa's apartheid era. Yet a ban was imposed on South Africa, and hasn't been enacted on Zimbabwe.
B) The World Cup should have never been played in Zimbabwe. It's one thing for Zimbabwe to compete in it, but to host your sport's premier event in a murderous dictorship is another thing. (Anyone hear the story about the boy who protested at one of the games, was detained by the government, and repeatedly raped? He probably has HIV/AIDS now).
If teams can opt out of touring on safety grounds, then they should not tour Zimbabwe due to the security risks of such a tour to the Zimbabwean people.
C) The ZCU is a political organ of Mugabe. Quoted from the
Cricinfo article :
"What is emerging is that Bvute is perhaps the most powerful figure within the ZCU. His appointment was made by the ruling Zanu PF party, and local observers say that he is charged with ensuring 'political loyalty' to Mugabe. Last year"
Bvute made the decision to ban the 12 Zimbabwean players, and has behind the sacking of Olongo/Flower. He is in communicaton with the ministry of information, and THREATENED THE HEALTH of anyone who opposed the re-election of Mugabe as the ZCU's patron.
You can't use the argument that sports and politics shouldn't mix when a dictatorship is deliberatly embroiling itself in the affairs of the ZCU and decimating cricket in the country.
The current Zimbabwean team should be banned. In my opinion an alternative team based outside of Zimbabwe should be set-up. Players residing outside of Zimbabwe and players who have been forced to retire should be given the opportunity to play. One-day caps should be given, and test caps should be considered if the team is competitive enough. The ICC can financially support the side (they have enough $$ and it won't cost much anyway). The team does not have to be full-time, rather assemble for 4-5 months each year. Zimbabwe will still be represented, but unfortunatly black players will be short on number, and this will give Mugabe an excuse to paint it as racist.....but who cares what he thinks. The only reason why this situation won't eventuate is because anyone who plays for this team will risk the health of their relatives/ family back home in Zimbabwe (reprisal oppression), and because the ICC doesn't have enough balls and insight.