Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bat first against the West Indies in the opening Test at Mirpur on Wednesday, with wicketkeeper-batter Liton Das returning to the playing XI after recovering from a hip injury.
Liton’s availability had been uncertain after he sustained a hip joint injury following Bangladesh’s one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, which forced him to miss the subsequent ODI tri-series.
However, the right-hander recovered after adequate rest and resumed batting practice before taking part in wicketkeeping drills.
Shanto had expressed optimism about Liton’s fitness ahead of the match, although he was awaiting final clearance from the medical team.
“Liton worked on his fitness this morning as well. So far, he is doing well, but the physio and trainer have not yet given me a definitive report. Hopefully, we will get good news. If everything goes well, he will play, but I have not received the 100 per cent confirmation yet,” Shanto said at the pre-match press conference.
Taskin Ahmed, who returns to the Test squad after being rested for the one-off match against Afghanistan, has been left out of the playing XI for the opening Test.
Bangladesh will look to make the most of batting first as they begin their two-match ICC World Test Championship series against the West Indies at home.
Bangladesh XI: Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Towhid Hridoy, Liton Das (wicketkeeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam.
West Indies XI: Jonathan Campbell, Brandon King, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo (wicketkeeper), Roston Chase (captain), Justin Greaves, Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph, Jomel Warrican, Jayden Seales.