Bangladesh returned to ODI cricket after a five-month break with the opening match of a three-match series against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and opted to field first. 🏏
The hosts have gone with a three-pace attack featuring Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana. Soumya Sarkar has been left out of the XI that played the last ODI against the West Indies, while Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan Tamim will open the innings.
Afif Hossain Dhrubo returned to international cricket after 15 months through this match and is expected to strengthen the middle order alongside Liton Kumar Das. Captain Miraz will lead the spin department with support from Rishad Hossain, while Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy complete the top order.
Meanwhile, four Pakistan players; Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Shamil Hussain and Abdul Samad are making their ODI debuts.
Bangladesh XI: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Liton Kumar Das, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana.
Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Shamil Hussain, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Hussain Talat, Abdul Samad, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Mohammad Wasim, Abrar Ahmed.
