Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss in Mirpur on Tuesday morning and chose to bat first in Mushfiqur Rahim’s historic 100th Test match. A short ceremony was held before the start to honour Mushfiqur becoming the first Bangladesh men’s cricketer to reach the landmark.
Bangladesh have made two changes from the previous Test. Pacers Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed return to the side in place of Nahid Rana and Hasan Mahmud. The hosts have opted for a spin-heavy attack once again, with Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Murad all included.
Ireland have also made two changes. Leg-spinner Gavin Hoey and top-order batter Stephen Doheny get their debut caps. They come in for pacers Craig Young and Barry McCarthy as they look to improve in conditions expected to assist Bangladesh’s spinners. This is Ireland’s third Test of the year, following their win over Zimbabwe and innings defeat to Bangladesh in Sylhet.
Mushfiqur’s milestone has set a celebratory tone in Mirpur, but Ireland will hope to push the hosts hard and spoil the occasion.
Bangladesh XI: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Hasan Murad.
Ireland XI: Andy Balbirnie (capt), Paul Stirling, Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Stephen Doheny, Andy McBrine, Jordan Neill, Matthew Humphreys, Gavin Hoey.
