Bangla board to probe toss 'fiasco'

DHAKA, May 28: The curse of the toss continues to haunt Bangladesh cricket. After losing the Mirpur Test to India by an innings and 239 runs and the series 1-0, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) plans to probe the toss fiasco which saw skipper Habibul Bashar winning the coin and inviting India to bat first on a lifeless track at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
The decision, which surprised everyone, contributed to Bangladesh’s humiliating defeat as the poor performance of their bowlers and batsmen.
The BCB did not announce a formal probe, but sources in the Board said that top officials were particularly peeved at the team management’s decision and heads may roll once the ‘truth’ is ascertained. The team management, of course, has owned up collective responsibility for the wrong decision, but the BCB feels it is not enough.
However, the BCB can hardly take any action against coach Whatmore, who has already announced that he would be moving on. The axe may, therefore fall on Bashar. The Bangladesh captain has already stepped down as the leader from ODIs and may even lose the Test captaincy if the BCB probe finds his explanation unsatisfactory.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh players on Monday gave Whatmore a warm send-off at the team hotel. They organised a small get-together in the conference room and showered the outgoing coach with gifts. The presented an expensive dinner set to Whatmore, who was touched by the affection.