| Players have to perform: Law |

Stuart Law, BCT Coach

Bangladesh Australian coach Stuart Law has sent a very clear message for all Bangladesh cricketers that if they want to play for the country they will have to perform.

He was speaking to media on Wednesday at Chittagong Stadium.

When asked why Mohammad Ashraful was dropped from the two- match Test series, he said, "Dropping of Mohammad Ashraful for the two Tests against West Indies was a message that players needed to perform if they wanted to play for the country."

Law added the Bangladesh Test side had been underachieving as a unit and may be it is time for a change. It also provides an opportunity for the players who have come in to the squad to stay there for a long term Test career."

The uproar in the media came after BCB announced a 14-member Test squad yesterday with notable dropping of Ashraful, Alok Kapali, Abdur Razzak and all-rounder Mahmudullah and fast bowler Shafiul Islam.

Shakib was dropped from captaincy after Bangladesh suffered a whitewash in Zimbabwe last month and Mushfiq was asked to lead the side. Cricket pundits expected a lot of change in the side but the BCB selectors took their own sweet time and slowly started to give the accountability of their selection for the national squad.

Bangladesh coach was sympathetic with Ashraful fans as he said, "He's a great guy to have him around the dressing-room. His work ethic has been outstanding, whether it be gym sessions, training, batting, bowling or fielding, he is always there".

"He's not in the Test side but he's not finished. He has his best years ahead of him. He needs to go away and think about ways to score runs. If he does that, I think he'll be successful.

Explaining about new recruit left-arm spinner Elias Sunny Law summed up that he has the potential for a long career.