The International Cricket Council says though it prefers not to schedule back to back one-day matches, in some cases it is unavoidable.
Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak had criticised his side's schedule in the on-going Natwest tri-nation series.
"From our side, it's just a thing of fairness. South Africa and Zimbabwe both have back-to-back games, but England don't.
"We don't have a problem with that as long as all teams have the same schedule," said the Zimbabwe captain.
Reacting to the criticism, the ICC said the programme had been approved by the Zimbabwe's Cricket Board.
"The ICC's guideline on back-to-back games is that they should be avoided," ICC spokesman Brendan McClements said in a statement.
"In relation to the games this weekend, clearly the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Zimbabwe Cricket Union have agreed that scheduling such matches in this case was unavoidable.
"If Heath has a different view, it is an issue that I am sure that he will take up with the Board which has approved the programme his team is playing," McClements said.
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