The Zimbabwe cricket team is to play no more test matches until next year. The International Cricket Council made the suspension after a meeting with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union.
The decision follows a meeting between the Zimbabwe Cricket Union and the International Cricket Council in Dubai Thursday. It follows a dispute between some senior players and the ZCU after the firing of captain Heath Streak earlier this year when he questioned the composition of the selection panel and accused it of racial discrimination. Fourteen other players subsequently walked out.
An under-strength Zimbabwean team has lost 10 consecutive matches to Sri Lanka and Australia since the departure of the 15. Last month's Test series against the Australians was called off.
Zimbabwe will continue to play in one-day international matches. It will take part in the ICC trophy in England in September.
It is however not clear at the moment whether the English tour of Zimbabwe slated for later this year is still on. The tour was the subject of controversy unrelated to the player rebellion in Harare, but because of alleged human rights abuses by the government of President Robert Mugabe.
Zimbabwe Cricket Union officials were not available for comment.