The International Cricket Council said it was also freezing all funding to the southern African country, which is a test-playing nation and full member of the ICC.

The ban will be in place until at least October, when the ICC will meet again to reconsider Zimbabwe’s status.

Zimbabwe is due to play in World Twenty20 qualifiers in October, but its participation is in doubt for that tournament.

Zimbabwe was suspended after the government-run sports and recreation commission removed the cricket board last month and installed temporary leadership. The commission acted after alleging corruption in Zimbabwe cricket but the ICC viewed it as government interference, which is against the world body’s rules.

The ICC announced its decision after its board met in London. Zimbabwe’s cricket officials must be reinstated within three months for the suspension to be lifted.

“We do not take the decision to suspend a member lightly, but we must keep our sport free from political interference,” ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar said in a statement. “What has happened in Zimbabwe is a serious breach of the ICC constitution and we cannot allow it to continue unchecked.

“The ICC wants cricket to continue in Zimbabwe in accordance with the ICC constitution.”

Croatia and Zambia were also suspended while Morocco’s cricket body was expelled for continually failing to meet membership criteria relating to the way its finances are organized.