SA send Bangladesh to bat first

Bangladesh have been sent to bat first in their World Cup opener against South Africa on Sunday at the Oval, London, reports UNB.

Faf du Plessis, the South African captain won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Bangladesh were sweating over the fitness of Tamim Iqbal as he was got a blow on his forearm during the net session on Thursday. He, however, is featuring in this match, confirmed Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza during the toss.

Bangladesh left out Liton Das who hit a fifty in the warm-up against India. He also hit a fifty in the only what he played in tri-nation series in Ireland.

Bangladesh kept faith on Tamim and Soumya Sarkar to open the innings. Afte them, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain will come to bat on.

The team management preferred Mohammad Saifuddin over Rubel Hossain in the playing XI. Saifuddin was suffering from a back injury. But he finally made it to the playing XI.

Mosaddek Hossain also got a place in the playing XI. To pave a way for him, Sabbir Rahman was overlooked, who recently was not on a good touch.

Before coming to this match, South Africa lost the World Cup opener against the hosts England by a big margin of 104 runs. They tumbled for 207 all-out while chasing the target of 312. They suffered more against the pace attack of the hosts as the newbie Jofra Archer took three wickets in his World Cup debut. Besides him, Liam Plunkett and Ben Stokes bagged two wickets each as well.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, have won their first multi-national title in Ireland right before the World Cup. That win will surely boost the confidence of the Tigers in the showpiece event.

Bangladesh played three matches against South Africa in the World Cup and won one of them in 2007. In the other matches, they lost by 10 wickets (in 2003) and 206 runs (in 2011). Tigers’ only World Cup win over South Africa was a surprising one because of the difference in strength and ability. This time though, Bangladesh are strong enough to fight hard against the Proteas.

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Mehidy Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman

South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Jean-Paul Duminy, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir.