Bangladesh win toss, opt to bat against SA in first Test
Sports Desk
Bangladesh have won the toss and elected to bat against South Africa in the opening Test of two match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Monday.
The Tigers have opted for a spin-heavy attack, selecting the spin trio of Taijul Islam, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, and Nayeem Hasan, with Hasan Mahmud as the sole pacer.
Opener Zakir Hasan has been dropped, making way for Mahmudul Hasan Joy. Besides, wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali is set to make his Test debut in the series.
Meanwhile, South Africa have included two frontline off-spinners — Keshav Maharaj and Dane Piedt — in their XI.
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud
South Africa (Playing XI): Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Ryan Rickelton, Matthew Breetzke, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Piedt.
