The International Cricket Council on Saturday said that it was a 'flawed decision' to give Test status to Bangladesh.

"I think may be a stricter approach should have been taken with Bangladesh," said ICC president Malcolm Gray after Bangladesh suffered a ten-wicket drubbing from South Africa in a World Cup match in Bloemfontein.

"I saw them play in Durban [where they lost against Canada] and yes, their performances have been disappointing and obviously that brings into question their long-term viability."

Bangladesh, who were elevated in 2000, have lost 15 out of their 16 Test matches with one game ending in draw due to rain. They have also lost most of their one-day matches.

Though Gray said there was no possibility now to strip the Asian nation of the Test status, he added that the situation could be assessed in another couple of years.

"At the moment there are no plans to do that but I suppose in the next two years the situation could be reassessed," an Australian Web site quoted him as saying.

Bangladesh's poor showing is having its effect on minnows like Kenya, whose application for Test status has been with the ICC for the last two years.

Gray said the decision to elevate Kenya is likely to be deferred for another five years.

The ICC president, however, hoped that Bangladesh could emerge as a strong side with support from other Test playing nations.

"These things take time and with 130 million passionate people there, with time I'm sure they'll get their act together," he said.