Bangladesh bowls in Sylhet’s inaugural test.
Photo - BCB
|| CF Correspondent ||
Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza won the vital toss and sent Bangladesh in bowling in the opening test of the two-match series at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Bangladesh handed debuts to all-rounder Ariful Haque and left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam Apu in the first match of the stadium, which makes debut as the eighth venue of the country.
Regular captain Shakib Al Hasan and opener Tamim Iqbal were ruled out of the Test series following their respective injuries. Mahmudullah Riyad stands as the captain in this series.
''We would have batted first on this pitch,'' said Mahmudullah
''We will bat first. It looks dry and that is the reason we decided to bat first. Not an ideal preparation for us because of rain. We don't play lot of Test cricket so we are looking forward to this Test match. We have two seamers and two spinners on this pitch.,' said Hamilton Masakadza.
“There are already cracks on this pitch. It looks like a dry pitch. It looks a bit dark too so that means moisture is present on the pitch.”
Bangladesh fielded a spin-heavy team that included Mehidy Hasan Miraj and Taijul Islam other than debutant Nazmul Islam Apu to accompany one specialist pacer in Abu Jayed Rahi. Another debutant Ariful Haque though could bowl medium pace.
Leg-spinner Brandon Mavuta made debut for Zimbabwe, which did not win a test match in Bangladesh since 2001.
Former skipper and Cricket Operations chairman Akram Khan earlier rang the bail to inaugurate the first test match of this stadium.
A commemorating coin was used for the toss.
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Nazmul Hossain, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Abu Jayed, Taijul Islam, Nazmul Islam, Ariful Haque.
Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Hamilton Masakadza, Brian Chari, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Peter Moor, Regis Chakabva, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Wellington Masakadza, Tendai Chatara.
