England cricket chiefs have objected to touring the African nation due to security and political issues.
But as the ICC stages its executive board meeting in Auckland this week, one theory is that England could lose the host rights to the tournament – and leave them missing out of massive potential revenues which some estimates put as high as £10m.
The Champions Trophy is a one-day event due to be staged in England later this year.
Also on the agenda is a possible move of ICC headquarters from Lord’s to another nation.
English cricket’s unease at touring Zimbabwe could back-fire financially, with some reports suggesting the ICC may shift its Champions Trophy tournament to another host nation as punishment.
