Bangladesh axe Ashraful for second Australia one-dayer

FATULLAH, Bangladesh, Apr 25 (Reuters) Bangladesh have axed middle-order batsman Mohammad Ashraful from the squad for the second one-day international against Australia tomorrow.

Alok Kapali will replace Ashraful, who scored five from 23 balls in the first ODI, for the contest in Fatullah.

''He (Ashraful) is a little bit out of form at the moment and his confidence is also down, so we feel he should have a break,'' Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore said.

Kapali, who has played 51 ODIs since his debut against Sri Lanka in 2002, was withdrawn from the first match, which Australia won by three wickets, after he was struck in the face by a ball in practice.

''It is very unfortunate that we have to drop a batsman like Ashraful. But we have no other option as he looked out of form,'' skipper Habibul Bashar said.

Bangladesh have also called up paceman Shahadat Hossain to replace Syed Rasel.

REUTERS DH RK1556