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The spectre of an unwanted visit to Zimbabwe hangs over Scotland’s cricketers after a volte face by the International Cricket Council.

The fixture, along with Zimbabwe’s other three ICC Intercontinental Cup home ties, was originally to be played at a neutral venue as part of an understanding struck when the game’s governing body admitted the troubled African nation to the event.

Having been exiled from the Test arena since 2006, the decision was taken to include them as a stepping stone to restoring their status, but only on the understanding that their four ‘home’ games would be played elsewhere.

However, Afghanistan and Kenya have travelled to Zimbabwe and pressure is being put on Scotland and Ireland to do likewise.

Aside from fears that Robert Mugabe, the president of Zimbabwe, will try to make political gain from the match, Cricket Scotland officials are also privately seething that, by agreeing to a request from Zimbabwe Cricket to allow them to play at home, the ICC have effectively changed the I-Cup rules in mid-competition.

However, unless there are compelling security issues, Scotland may be forced to fulfil the fixture or risk forfeiting the points in a match that they may need to win to reach the final of the I-Cup.

Roddy Smith, the chief executive of Cricket Scotland, said: “We are in discussions with the ICC, Zimbabwe Cricket and the governments in Edinburgh and London. If there is no directive from the UK government not to travel, we may go because we are part of the ICC family of nations.”

Smith declined to be drawn on the moral issues surrounding Mugabe’s human rights record. However, it is understood no player will be forced to make the trip.

the ICC have effectively changed the I-Cup rules in mid-competition