Bangladesh team in grief over death of player

Port of Spain, Mar 16 (UNI) Bangladesh cricket team plunged into grief at the news of death of Manjural Islam, who was among the 30 candidates for the World Cup squad.

Manjural, 22, died in an accident when a speeding ambulance slammed into a motorcycle in southwestern Bangladesh earlier today.

Manjural and his friend Sajjadul Islam, also a local player, were killed in the accident that occurred in Khulna district, on the outskirts of Dhaka.

''It's a shocking news for all of us, he was a friend and a teammate. The boys are very upset,'' Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar said on hearing the news of Manjural's death.

The skipper said all players of this Bangladesh team had played with Manjural and were dejected at the incident, but hoped it would not affect the team's performance in the World Cup.

''The players are all professional and hopefully they won't let this downcast mood to affect their game,'' Bashar said.

Left-arm spinner Manjural played six tests and 25 limited-overs internationals. He made his one-day international debut in November 2003 at the age of 19 and his Test debut in the same season against Zimbabwe.

He claimed 23 wickets at an average of 29.95 in the one-day format, with best figures of 4-34 and a batting average of 20.

Manjural was among the 30 probables for the World Cup, but failed to make the squad of 15. He played his last one-day international against Kenya in March 2006 and his last test was against India in December 2004.

UNI