The former Boomtown Rat has teamed up with human rights organisation the Aegis Trust and vowed to raise the £1m ($1.64m/EUR1.51m) required to pay the ICC's financial penalty should England refuse to play in Zimbabwe.
The issue of whether England should compete has become a hot political issue with the UK government opposed to the Zimbabwe regime, led by President Mugabe. Yesterday, England cricketers voiced their concerns over security arrangements and called for the game to be moved to South Africa.
The ICC has told English cricket's governing body, the ECB, that any decision to pull-out of the games in Zimbabwe would result in a £1m compensation bill. The figure would put intense financial strain on the ECB and is a key factor in it so far committing itself to the game taking place. The UK government has refused to pay up should the ECB opt out.
Said Geldof: "On a day in which perhaps thousands will die of state-sponsored famine, the English nation as represented by their cricket team will be guests of their perpetrator, Robert Mugabe.
"Against these facts a game of cricket is wholly absurd. We must withdraw. I wholly endorse this appeal for you to pick up the telephone and buy this game off."
Geldof, whose Live Aid project raised millions by calling on the public to ring in and make a donation, hopes to raise the money through a public appeal.
The ICC will consider both the situation in Zimbabwe and Kenya when it receives the latest security reports on the two countries. New Zealand claims terrorist activity in Kenya should prompt the ICC to move games from there.
Bob Geldof has enjoyed a successful business career in television since organising Live Aid in 1985. He remains hugely popular in the UK and has proved a seasoned veteran in raising public awareness - and securing donations - for causes he supports.
He has backed the Aegis Trust for some years and last year helped launch plans to create the Aegis Institute; a unique centre for research, education and commemoration of genocide, including the world's first permanent exhibition on genocide. The Aegis Institute is due to open in 2005.
The staging of sporting events is just one of the topics to be discussed at SportAccord, the leading industry conference taking place in Madrid between May 12-16.
To find out how YOU can attend, click on the link below to visit the official SportAccord website.
