Ashraful named new Tigers captain

Bangladesh have axed Habibul Bashar as Test skipper and appointed 22-year-old batsman Mohammad Ashraful in his place.

Bashar stepped down as one-day skipper last week after his team lost the Test series 1-0 to India, following a 2-0 ODI series defeat to the visitors.

The 34-year-old had expressed his desire to continue as Test captain.

But a spokesman said: "The board has named Mohammad Ashraful as captain of both one-day and Test teams as it wants the team to be led by one captain."

Pace bowler Mashrafe Mortaza will be Ashraful's deputy, spokesman Rabeed Imam announced.

"With his captaincy, Bangladesh cricket enters a new era. The board is confident Ashraful will lead by example and take the country's cricket to a new height," he added.

"He is a talented batsman and has all the abilities to be a very good leader."

Ashraful will lead the side on a tour of Sri Lanka later this month, which includes three Tests and three one-day internationals.

"I may be young, but I have been playing Test cricket for more than six years. I also led my team for two years in the national league," he said.

"I think age is no bar for being a successful captain. Quite a few players have led their national teams even at a younger age than me."

Bashar led Bangladesh to 29 one-day victories in 69 matches, and one win and five draws in 18 Tests.

Mashud overlooked by Bangladesh

The selectors decided Mashud's current form did not merit a recall

Former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mashud has been left out of their 15-man squad for the forthcoming World Cup.

Wicket-keeper Mashud missed the series in Zimbabwe which ended last weekend because of a thumb injury.

And the selectors have decided that youngster Mushfiqur Rahim will continue behind the stumps for the World Cup.

The squad shows three changes, with Rajin Saleh, Javed Omar and Syed Rasel recalled in place of Mehrab Hossain, Tushar Imran and Mohammad Sharif.

Saleh led the side at last year's ICC Champions Trophy when regular skipper Habibul Bashar was injured, but has been out of favour since then.

"Both Rajin and Omar had good domestic seasons and have the experience which will strengthen our batting. We think this is the best combination we have for the World Cup," chief selector Faruque Ahmed commented.

"We also picked Rasel, despite the fact that he has lost pace in recent times. He is an experienced bowler and can swing the ball."

Explaining Mashud's absence, he added: "We have dropped Mashud for poor batting performance, though he is still the best wicket-keeper in the country. We think Mushfiqur Rahim is the better batsman now."

Bangladesh are in the same first round group as India, Sri Lanka and newcomers Bermuda at the World Cup.

And they are eager to give a better account of themselves than they managed in 2003 when they lost all five games, including defeats by Canada and Kenya.

Bangladesh World Cup squad: Habibul Bashar (captain), Shahriar Nafees, Tamim Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Saqibul Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Rafique, Abdur Razzak, Mashrafe Mortaza, Shahadat Hossain, Tapash Baishya, Syed Rasel, Rajin Saleh, Javed Omar.

India to tour Bangladesh in May

India have confirmed they will tour Bangladesh in May, playing two Tests and three one-day internationals.

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India has verbally accepted the schedule sent by us for the tour," said a statement from Bangladesh.

The itinerary will be announced later, as will details of Bangladesh's first Test tour of India in the near future.

India last visited Bangladesh in December 2004 when the hosts recorded their first home international victory.

India were the opponents in Dhaka when Bangladesh played their first ever Test in 2000 but the Tigers have won just one Test, against Bangladesh, in 43 attempts since then.

Scotland slump to series defeat

Second one-day international, Mirpur
Bangladesh 278-6 beat Scotland 132 by 146 runs
Bangladesh beat Scotland by 146 runs to complete a 2-0 series victory over Craig Wright's men in Mirpur.

Mashrafe Mortaza clubbed 51 not out from 28 balls batting at number eight before taking 2-39 as the Scots were bowled out for 132 in 41.3 overs.

Majid Haq made his debut for Scotland after vice-captain Ryan Watson was injured in Friday's defeat.

Watson tried to hook Mortaza and edged the ball into his face, sustaining a hairline fracture of his cheekbone.

Mortaza, on course to be leading the wicket-taker in one-day internationals this year, came to the crease for Bangladesh when they were 199-6.

He smashed five sixes and two fours to set a target well beyond Scotland's reach after Aftab Ahmed had hit a 46-ball 52 earlier in the innings.

Wright (2-46) was Scotland's most effective bowler, while Haq also got two wickets, but was more expensive.

Abdur Razzak was Bangladesh's most successful bowler, taking 4-23 and he helped reduce the tourists to 87-8.

Some late defiance from the tail kept Bangladesh waiting but the hosts still closed out an impressive victory.