World Cup: Bangladesh opt to bat against Pakistan

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and opted to bat against Pakistan in their World Cup match in Kolkata on Tuesday.

Bangladesh made one change bringing back Towhid Hridoy in place of Mahedi Hasan.

Pakistan brought back Fakhar Zaman, Agha Salman and Usama Mir in place of Imam-ul-Haq, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz.

Former cricketers Nasser Hussain and Shane Watson reckoned in their pitch report that the new surface looks very dry with no moisture at all. They added that the pitch turn a bit and bring the spinners into play and will be a bit of a challenge for the batters.

After winning the toss, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan said, "We will bat first, looks like a dry wicket, we played the last game here, it was slow and there was turn. We have nothing to lose, we have to play well in the first 10 overs and hopefully we can go from there. We haven't been consistent enough, we have been doing bits and pieces but haven't performed collectively and that has been disappointing. There isn't much difference between in here and Dhaka in terms of culture so hopefully we will have some good support."

After losing the toss Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said, "We would also like to bat first. There might be some swing in it early on because there is some moisture in it. Last match we were good in all three departments. There was some good energy. I am also waiting for a big innings, I will try to convert into a hundred. Three changes, Imam, Shadab and Nawaz out. Fakhar, Salman and Usama in."

Bangladesh XI: Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mahmudullah, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam

Pakistan XI: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf