A five-match series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe which was set for April has been cancelled because of broadcast costs, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) said on Monday.

The matches were amid preparation for this year’s ICC Cricket World Cup which starts in May. 

"Although the two boards had agreed to share the tour expenses, the prohibitive costs of broadcasting the matches live on television – which the ACB was insisting on – unfortunately derailed the proposed series," ZC said a statement on Monday.

Afghanistan has pre-World Cup warm-up ODIs scheduled against Scotland, Ireland, Pakistan and England before they begin their campaign against Australia in Bristol on June 1.

Zimbabwe did not qualify for this year's World Cup.