Bangladesh opt to bat first in first Test against South Africa, Jaker debuts
Wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali is making his Test debut, as the hosts opted to bolster their batting line-up in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan.
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat in the first of two Tests against South Africa at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali is making his Test debut, as the hosts opted to bolster their batting line-up in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan.
The Tigers have fielded a spin-heavy attack, selecting the trio of Taijul Islam, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, and Nayeem Hasan, with Hasan Mahmud as the sole pacer.
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Opener Zakir Hasan has been left out, with Mahmudul Hasan Joy replacing him at the top of the order.
Meanwhile, South Africa have picked two frontline off-spinners—Keshav Maharaj and Dane Piedt—in their XI.
This is the first Test between the two sides on Bangladeshi soil since 2015.
Bangladesh XI: Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud.
South Africa XI: Aiden Markram (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Ryan Rickelton, Matthew Breetzke, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Piedt.
