Bangladesh win toss and opt to bat first in final Test

Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss in his 50th Test and decided to bat first against visiting England in the second and final Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur on Friday.

Bangladesh had already elected to go with four spinners for the second Test - Shuvagata Hom taking the place vacated by Shafiul Islam - on a dry surface that was expected to turn.

‘Batting will be a bit easier than Chittagong and hopefully we will put up a big score,’ Mushfiqur said. Of his achievement as the third Bangladeshi to play 50 Tests. ‘It’s been a long journey, 11 years.’

England had already confirmed two changes to the team that won a nail-biting first Test by 22 runs in Chittagong, Zafar Ansari making his debut and Steven Finn replacing the rested Stuart Broad, according to a news agency.

Ansari, who has played one ODI previously, was handed his cap by Mark Ramprakash - a former team-mate at Surrey - in the huddle beforehand.

His inclusion at Gareth Batty’s expense was in part aimed at giving him an opportunity ahead of five Tests in India but Alastair Cook said he was confident that rotation had not weaked his hand.

‘We never pick a team we think is going to lose,’ Cook said. ‘The guys are extremely good players coming in.’

Squad:

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (captain/wicket-keeper), Sabbir Rahman, Shuvagata Hom, Mehedi Hasan, Taijul Islam and Kamrul Islam Rabbi.

England : Alastair Cook (captain), Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Gary Ballance, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wicket-keeper), Moeen Ali, Zafar Ansari, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid and Steven Finn.