Dhaka: The captain of Bangladesh's World Cup cricket team said on Tuesday he had resigned. "I have sent my resignation letter to the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)," Khaled Mashud told reporters. He had indicated before the start of the tournament in South Africa that he would afterward step down from international cricket to spend more time with his family. BCB officials confirmed that Mashud, who took charge in 2001, had sent a letter, but said they were unaware of its contents as the BCB president was out of Dhaka. The team and its officials are facing an inquiry into Bangladesh's performance, which the media here said had brought "shame" on the country. Bangladesh had at least hoped for wins over Kenya and minnows Canada, but lost to both. Kenya beat Bangladesh by 32 runs, while Canada surprised it with a 60-run victory. It would have been six losses for Bangladesh, but rain saved it in the match against the West Indies. Bangladesh achieved Test status in 2000. Since then it has lost 15 of its 16 Tests with a draw against Zimbabwe in 2002, again thanks to rain. Copyright AFP 2001

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