SHARJAH (United Arab Emirates), March 28: Zimbabwe and Kenya have accepted invitations to replace South Africa at next month’s Sharjah Cup, organisers said on Friday.

The tri-nation tournament, which was to feature South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, had been planned for April 1-10 but organisers were forced to reschedule after South Africa pulled out because of the war in Iraq.

The Sharjah Cup, amended to a four-team event, will now take place from April 3 to 10.

“We are glad that both countries have accepted the invitation,” Zahid Noorani, chief executive of the CBFS, said in a statement.

“It’s unfortunate that South Africa had to pull out, but we have put together an excellent tournament. We have two World Cup semifinalists (Kenya and Sri Lanka) and another team (Zimbabwe) who reached the super six stage,” he added.

“The four teams will follow a round-robin league format and the top two teams will clash in the final on April 10.”

Kenya and Zimbabwe were invited by organisers on Wednesday to replace South Africa in the tournament, subject to clearance from their respective ministries of foreign affairs.

“Yes we’re are going to be there and the team is preparing to fly out on Tuesday (April 1),” Kenya Cricket Association chairman Jimmy Rayani told Reuters.

“We shall have the same team that participated in the just-concluded World Cup, minus two or three players.”

He did not say which players would miss out on the Sharjah trip.

Sharjah Cup schedule:

April 3 - Pakistan v Zimbabwe

April 4 - Pakistan v Sri Lanka

April 5 - Zimbabwe v Kenya

April 6 - Sri Lanka v Kenya

April 7 - Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe

April 8 - Pakistan v Kenya

April 10 - Final—Reuters