First Test: Bangladesh win toss, elect to field against Pakistan
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Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field in the first test match with Pakistan on Wednesday, the 24NewsHD TV Channel reported.
The toss for the first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh was delayed after umpires found wet patches in the outfield of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium due to overnight rain.
Umpires Richard Kettleborough of England and Adrian Holdstock from South Africa have inspected the ground from time to time and now okays to start the match at 2 pm.
Pakistan's final XI includes captain Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafiq, Babar Azam, Khurram Shehzad, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saeem Ayub, Salman Agha and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Pakistan's final XI includes captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumar Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana.
The two-match series is part of the World Test Championship (WTC) third cycle (2023-2025) contested by nine teams. Pakistan is currently sixth and Bangladesh is eighth on the table.
The second Test will also be played in Rawalpindi, from August 30, after being moved from Karachi because of construction work at the stadium.
Earlier today, the toss was delayed as the ground is not yet fully ready for the first cricket test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh due to overnight heavy rain in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan and Bangladesh are both hungry for crucial World Test Championship points as they aim to climb up the rankings. The home side is going all-in with a pace-heavy attack after surprisingly releasing their lone spinner, Abrar Ahmed.
With a dominant record against Bangladesh—12 wins and just one draw in 13 Tests—Pakistan will be eager to extend that streak. The pace duo of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah will be pivotal, bringing their lethal speed and ability to swing the ball both ways. Khurram Shahzad, who impressed during his debut in Australia, adds further firepower to the attack.