KARACHI, May 25: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has no plans to withdraw Bangladesh’s Test status and was committed to improving cricket in that country, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) said on Sunday.

“ICC and ACC are particularly committed to all out support to improve cricket in Bangladesh and reports giving the impression that Bangladesh’s Test status would be taken back are totally wrong,” ACC development manager Zakir Husain Syed said.

“ICC has plans to improve the infrastructure and domestic competitions in Bangladesh and has allocated around US$0.5 million for that purpose.”

Bangladesh became the 10th Test-playing nation in June 2000 but has since failed to justify the status, losing 18 of 19 Tests. The national team has not won a one-day match for four years.

Zakir told reporters before leaving to attend the ICC development committee meeting from May 31 to June 1 in New York, that ICC development manager Andrew Eade had nominated certain areas where the ICC and the Pakistan-based ACC could work together for Bangladesh’s improvement.

“The ICC has planned an elite training programme in Bangladesh and ACC will also conduct a sports medicine programme besides various other coaching and umpiring programmes there,” Zakir said.

While Bangladesh failed to win a single match in the recent World Cup in southern Africa, non-Test playing Kenya finished as losing semi-finalists, prompting critics to call for the African nation to be granted Test status.

Bangladesh, blanked 2-0 by South Africa last month, has hired former Sri Lankan coach Dav Whatmore and hopes the Australian can change their fortunes.

Zakir said the ACC was also exploring the possibility of improving the sport’s structure in Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Bahrain, Brunei and Malaysia.

“Asia has great scope for cricket and we are the region where cricket has flourished due to proper planning and adequate spending of funds,” he added.—AFP