Bangladesh axe Bashar, appoint Ashraful new captain

DHAKA, June 2 (Reuters) Bangladesh have axed Habibul Bashar as test skipper and appointed batsman Mohammad Ashraful in his place until September.

Pace bowler Mashrafe Mortaza will be his deputy, BCB senior official Reazuddin Al Mamun said after a board meeting today.

Bashar had announced his decision to step down as one-day skipper on Sunday after his team lost a test series 1-0 to India following a 2-0 one-day series defeat by the visitors.

He led Bangladesh to 29 one-day victories in 69 matches, but came under fire after making only 105 runs in the World Cup.

His duck and 43 runs in the two one-day matches against India in the just-concluded series did little to help to his cause. A third match was rained out.

Bashar has led Bangladesh in 18 tests with one win, 12 defeats and five draws.

REUTERS SAM KN2153