Bacher favours Test status for Bangladesh

Bangladesh have already attained One-Day International status — something they grabbed with both hands to defeat Pakistan in the last World Cup in England.

The Bangladeshis were then coached by former West India opener Gordon Greendige. But since his ouster, they are being coached by former South African Test all-rounder Eddie Barlow.

Bacher, who is also the Managing Director of the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA), will shortly quit his present job with the UCBSA to spearhead his nation’s preparations for the 2003 World Cup.

Bacher said said one of the semi-finals would be given to co-hosts Zimbabwe — to be played at Harare or Bulawayo.

He said the next World Cup will see an additional 12 matches — up from the 42 played last year in England — and spread over a five to six-week period.South Africa will stage 48 matches while Zimbabwe will host five with Kenya getting one match.

“Fourteen teams, comprising the nine Test playing countries, Kenya, Bangladesh and three qualifiers from the 2002 ICC Trophy event in Toronto, would compete in the World Cup,” Bacher said.