KARACHI, Aug 17: Bangladesh do not believe their Test status is under threat despite a dismal run of results, officials said on Sunday.

“We have not been given the Test status by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in charity. We earned it by winning the ICC trophy and other matches,” Bangladesh team manager M.A. Latif told reporters on Sunday.

The Bangladesh squad, including 15 players and five officials, arrived in Karachi on Sunday morning to play three Tests and five One-day Internationals.

“I don’t think there is any possibility of the ICC taking away our Test status even if we don’t do well in Pakistan. But we are looking for improvement now,” Latif said.

Bangladesh have lost 20 of their 21 matches since gaining Test status three years ago and have not won any of their One-day Internationals since their shock win over Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup.

There have been widespread calls from former players and officials for the ICC to review the Test status awarded to the Bangladesh team.—Reuters