Dhaka, June 23: Fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza has been named Bangladesh’s new captain for an upcoming tour of the West Indies, the country’s cricket board announced on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old paceman replaced Mohammad Ashraful, who was removed on Monday after the team’s first-round exit from the recent World Twenty20 in England.

"We believe we have picked the ideal person as captain," Mohammed Jalal Yunus of the Bangladesh Cricket Board said in a statement. "Apart from his obvious match-winning ability, Mortaza is a proven fighter and has the experience. He can inspire and motivate the team. This is a new challenge for him and we know that he loves challenges."

Mortaza has so far bagged 78 wickets in 35 Tests, and 135 in 103 one-day internationals. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was named as his deputy.

Bangladesh will play two Tests, three one-dayers and one Twenty20 match on the West Indies tour, starting next month. Ashraful, who led the country for two years, came under fire when his team failed to qualify for the World Twenty20 Super Eights after losing both of their league matches against India and Ireland. He contributed just 25 runs. — AFP