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Bedi, More to train Bangladesh cricketers

Five former Test stars will impart specialised training to Bangladesh's cricket team before it plays it's first Test match later this year, an official said on Wednesday.

The five, drawn from around the world, will spend a fortnight each in Dhaka interacting with both the national side and junior players, Bangladesh Cricket Board secretary Ashraf-ul Haq said.

Former India captain Bishen Bedi, one of the game's finest left-arm spinners, heads the pack which includes two other Test skippers, Mushtaq Mohammad of Pakistan and Roshan Mahanama of Sri Lanka.

While Bedi will take care of the spin department, Mushtaq will concentrate on batting and Mahanama on fielding.

South African all-rounder Mike Proctor will deal with the fast bowlers while India's Kiran More will look after the wicketkeepers.

"These five will prepare our boys for the tough tests ahead," said Haq, adding the specialised training is likely to begin next month.

Bangladesh's first big assignment will be the mini-World Cup limited-overs tournament, in Nairobi from October 3-15, which also features the other nine Test-playing nations.

Haq said the dates and opponents for Bangladesh's inaugural Test match were undecided, but the venue will almost certainly be the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.

"It is unlikely to be before November," Haq said. "Both India and Pakistan have shown interest in playing our first Test, but we are also speaking to other countries." Zimbabwe and England are understood to have been contacted.

Bangladesh, who were granted Test status by the International Cricket Council on Monday, join England, Australia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa and Zimbabwe in the exclusive club.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Cricket Board officials were given a heroes welcome Wednesday on returning home from London with news it has become the newest member of the Test cricket club.

BCB President Saber Hossain Chowdhury and other officials were showered with flower petals by several thousand cricket fans waiting outside the airport, witnesses said.

From the airport, BCB officials drove to nearby Savar district in a convoy of 40 vehicles to place wreaths at a memorial dedicated to Bangladesh's 1971 independence war martyrs.

A gala celebration is planned for later Wednesday with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, who also holds the sports portfolio, expected to be present, organisers said.

Bangladesh has been in a festive mood since the promotion of their team to Test status, described by many as "a dream come true."