Ashraful sacked after T20 World Cup exit

Dhaka, June 22: Bangladeshi cricket authorities on Monday sacked the national team captain Mohammad Ashraful, an official said, 10 days after returning home
to fans angry at an early exit from the World Twenty20 tournament.

"Mohammad Ashraful has been removed from the captaincy because of poor batting," an official, who declined to be named, said via telephone.

The 24-year-old middle order batsman bore the brunt of the blame for the team`s disastrous performance in the competition in England which saw them exit after the first round of play.

Fans gathered at Zia International Airport in Dhaka and chanted "resign, resign" to Ashraful, prompting him to publicly apologise for their poor play but he said he would not quit as captain.

His deputy Mashrafe Mortaza, a fast bowler, would be named new captain, the official said.

Bangladeshi Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus said an official announcement would be made on Tuesday.

Ashraful was appointed to the role two years ago but the team has failed to wow on the world scene under his captaincy.

Bureau Report