Former England captain David Gower has joined others in asking the national cricket team to boycott its matches in Zimbabwe as a mark of protest against President Robert Mugabe's policies.
Gower, who led England 32 times and is right now a commentator, echoed concerns by UK cabinet minister and former anti-apartheid campaigner Peter Hain that the Zimbabwean president will try to exploit the tournament for propaganda purposes.
England captain Nasser Hussain and his players have refused to enter the debate and insist they do not know enough about the situation.
Gower said in a local radio programme: "England should not go. Robert Mugabe is a tyrant at best and there is no doubt he will try to make political capital out of the visit, which can only be bad for Zimbabwe.
"Nasser is being disingenuous when he says the players don't know anything about the situation because they only have to look at the sports pages to read all about it.
"Having said that, it would be a brave decision for any player to say he refuses to go. Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak is the only player to say England should go, but you have to remember the job is a quasi-political appointment.
"If you say the wrong things you will be out, which is why Alistair Campbell and Stuart Carlisle have been dropped from their squad."
Fearing financial penalties, the England and Wales Cricket Board has so far refused to pull out. It is also worried that the Zimbabwe team could retaliate by pulling out of a two-Test tour of England next summer.
ECB chief executive Tim Lamb and other officials are due to meet the ministers this week to try to reach a decision.
ECB chairman David Morgan said it was probable the game would go ahead.
"Clearly, it would be good to stand up and be counted and I am not 100 per cent happy to be seen supporting the regime in Zimbabwe. But I wouldn't be 100 per cent happy about not going either because the consequences would have a huge effect on the game worldwide," he added.
Australia are also under political pressure to pull out, but India and Pakistan have indicated their intention to play.
