DHAKA: Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and opted to bat under overcast skies in the first test of a two-match series against Australia at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.
Australia have recalled left-handed batsman Usman Khawaja and left-arm spinner Ashton Agar, both of whom toured India earlier this year but did not play in the four-test series.
Bangladesh left out paceman Taskin Ahmed and opted for two seamers and a three-pronged spin attack, which includes off-spinner Mehedy Hasan and left-arm spinner Taijul Islam.
“We are very confident after beating Sri Lanka in Colombo and we also beat England here last year.
I hope the boys are fired up,” Mushfiqur said.
The match marks the 50th test match for Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal and spin-bowling all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.
Smith admitted that Australia would also have batted had he won the toss.
“The wicket looks pretty slow,” he said.
REUTERS
