Bashar named Bangladesh captain

Top batsman Habibul Bashar has replaced Khaled Mahmud as captain and will lead Bangladesh on their tour of Namibia and Zimbabwe which starts on January 31.

Mahmud has been under pressure since his team's latest failure when they lost to England late last year.

He was not named in a 16-man squad announced on Saturday, although chief selector Faruk Ahmed said he might join the team later for some one-dayers.

In all, Bangladesh have lost 25 of their 26 Tests and have not won a one-dayer since beating Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup.

Ahmed said: "Habibul Bashar, the most successful batsman in the country, has been selected as new skipper."

Coach Dav Whatmore said: "This is the best possible side we have now. They are confident of doing better."

Bangladesh will play three one-dayers and a three-day game in Namibia and two Tests and five one-dayers in Zimbabwe.

Squad: Habibul Bashar (captain), Rajin Saleh, Khaled Mashud, Tapash Baisya, Hannan Sarkar, Shahariar Hossain, Mohammad Ashraful, Tareq Aziz, Manjural Islam, Anwar Hossain Munir, Mushfiqur Rahman, Alok Kapali, Mohammad Rafique, Alamgir Kabir, Manjurul Islam, Al-Sahariar.

Itinerary:

Namibia v Bangladesh

Jan 31: 1st ODI

Feb 1: 2nd ODI

Feb 4: 3rd ODI

Feb 6-8: 3-day match.

Zimbabwe v Bangladesh

Feb 19-23: 1st Test in Harare

Feb 26-Mar 1: 2nd Test in Bulawayo

Mar 6: 1st ODI in Bulawayo

Mar 7: 2nd ODI in Bulawayo

Mar 10: 3rd ODI in Harare

Mar 12: 4th ODI in Harare

Mar 14: 5th ODI in Harare.