Shanto and Mushfiqur return as Bangladesh bat first

Bangladesh Opt to Bat First Against Zimbabwe in Sylhet Test

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bat first against Zimbabwe in the first Test in Sylhet. Shanto is back at the helm after sitting out Bangladesh’s previous series against the West Indies last year.

Also returning to the home side are veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, along with Khaled Ahmed.

Bangladesh will be without Shahadat Hossain, who has been dropped from the Test squad. Litton Das and Taskin Ahmed are also absent, having been rested for this match.

Zimbabwe’s Team Composition

Zimbabwe has opted for a three-man pace attack consisting of Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, and Victor Nyauchi. Left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza makes his return to the side.

Interestingly, Johnathan Campbell, who captained Zimbabwe in their previous Test in the absence of Craig Ervine, has been dropped for this game.

The visitors are also without Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Newman Nyamhuri, and Trevor Gwandu, all of whom featured in the previous Test. Included in the squad are Ervine, Sean Williams, Masakadza, and Nyauchi.

Playing XIs

Here’s a look at the confirmed playing XIs for both teams:

Bangladesh:

1 Mahmudul Hasan Joy, 2 Shadman Islam, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Mominul Haque, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 7 Jaker Ali (wk), 8 Taijul Islam, 9 Hasan Mahmud, 10 Khaled Ahmed, 11 Nahid Rana

Zimbabwe:

1 Ben Curran, 2 Brian Bennett, 3 Nicholas Welch, 4 Sean Williams, 5 Craig Ervine (capt), 6 Wessly Madhevere, 7 Nyasha Mayavo (wk), 8 Wellington Masakadza, 9 Richard Ngarava, 10 Blessing Muzarabani, 11 Victor Nyauchi