September 23 Monday 2002
Bangladesh drop Ashraful for South Africa tour

DHAKA: Bangladesh have dropped teenager Mohammad Ashraful, who made a century on his Test debut, for their tour of South Africa later this month, Bangladesh Cricket Board officials said on Sunday.

The 17-year-old Ashraful made 114 in his first Test earlier this month when Bangladesh were crushed by Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Wicket-keeper cum batsman Khaled Mashud remains as captain for the three one-day internationals and two Tests from September 27 to October 29.

Three of Bangladesh's most senior players -- former captains Akram Khan and Aminul Islam and left-arm off spinner Enamul Hoque -- have also been dropped to make way for batsmen Sanwar Hossain and Rafiqul Islam and bowler Anwar Hossain.

The team also includes Hannan Sarkar who was not in the squad for the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka. They will join the team in Dubai on September 24 on their way to South Africa from the one-day tournament in Sri Lanka.

Two other players from their Champions Trophy squad -- off-spinner Fahim Muntasir and middle-order batsman Mazharul Haque -- have been dropped and will return to Dhaka. Bangladesh play their second match of the Champions Trophy against New Zealand on Monday, having lost their opening game by nine wickets to Australia.

Squad: Khaled Mashud (captain), Habibul Bashar, Al-Shahriar, Tushar Imran, Khaled Mahmud, Manjurul Islam, Talha Jubair, Mohammad Rafique, Tapas Baishya, Alok Kapali, Javed Omar, Hannan Sarkar, Sanwar Hossain, Rafiqul Islam, Anwar Hossain.