By Hans Pienaar and Stephen Brenkley
In Dubai a delegation of Zimbabwe's cricket administrators on Monday withdrew from the T20 tournament, rather than force a vote on its membership in the divided International Cricket Council (ICC) - and risk losing a £5-million annual stipend.
The ICC is holding its annual meeting in the Gulf state city.
It emerged that nine words from Mandela did the trick in persuading India to change its stance against action against Zimbabwe.
At a dinner marking his 90th birthday in London last week, Mandela mentioned "the tragic failure of leadership in our neighbouring Zimbabwe".
"This statement was quoted during the board meeting by Norman Arendse, the chairperson of Cricket SA, and had a significant impact," said Giles Clarke, chairperson of the England and Wales Cricket Board.
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"Nelson Mandela is a legendary figure and, as Mr Arendse said, a modern-day saint.
"His pronouncements carry weight."
When India caved in, the Zimbabweans settled for a compromise.
The delegation has to return to its own board for the withdrawal to be ratified.
As President Robert Mugabe has ties with the board, rescinding it remains possible.
ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "The president of Zimbabwe cricket will be in that team and he was party to the recommendation, so I am reasonably confident that everybody will look at the big picture."
Meanwhile, the Drakensberg Boys' Choir announced on Monday it would postpone the Zimbabwean leg of its international tour.
The choir's board cited political uncertainty and mounting violence in Zimbabwe.
The choir is currently on a tour of the Netherlands and Austria, and was due to travel to Zimbabwe directly after the European performances.
"While the boys are extremely disappointed, our board is confident that it is the right decision.
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