Bangladesh win the toss and opt to field first

Due to a wet outfield, the start of the first Test of the Bangladesh-Pakistan series has been delayed. The toss has finally taken place, with Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. If everything goes according to plan, the first ball of the Test is expected to be bowled at 3:30 PM in Rawalpindi.

Rain has disrupted nearly two sessions of the first day of the Rawalpindi Test. For the remaining part of today’s play, 48 overs are scheduled. The tea break will start at 5:20 PM, and the final session will begin at 5:40 PM and continue until 7 PM. To complete the 48 overs, play will be extended by 30 minutes if necessary.

Pakistan has opted not to include any spinners in their lineup, indicating the nature of the pitch. Their bowling attack will be entirely pace-oriented, with the hosts fielding four pacers under the leadership of Shan Masood. Despite the pace-friendly pitch, Bangladesh will rely on the spin of Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy is ruled out of this Test due to a thigh injury, and Sadman Islam will replace him in the XI. He will open the innings alongside Zakir Hasan.

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das (wk), Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad