Bangladesh Opt to Bat against Pakistan

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to bat in their first Asia Cup Super Four game at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore today.

Bangladesh made only one change to the squad. Liton Das, who was initially ruled out of the Asia Cup due to viral fever, starts after having joined the side following his recovery. He replaces Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored 89 and 104 in the two group-stage games but had to leave the Asia Cup campaign due to a hamstring injury.

Asked what the reasons behind opting to bat, Shakib said: "No particular reason other than the heat."

Shakib also mentioned they would like to get runs on the board to put pressure on Pakistan.

"If we can put runs on the board, we can put pressure on Pakistan. Similar to the match we played against Afghanistan, we want to replicate that. We have to be at our best. We aren't worried about what the opposition can do to us. We know their strengths and weaknesses," Shakib added. 

Pakistan had announced their eleven last night. They have made one change to the eleven that played against Nepal and India in the group stage. Spin-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz makes way for pace-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.

Pakistan skipper Babar also said they would have batter first as well.

"We would have batted as well. There's a bit of grass and we'll try to use that. We are looking very well in the pace department. We are used to this heat as we've played a lot of cricket," Babar said.

Babar remains one away from scoring a record 20th century for Pakistan, overtaking Pakistan's Saeed Anwar.

"I am looking forward to this match, I'll try to break the [Saeed Anwar's] record but I'm looking to win this match. Last night we saw a bit of help for fast bowlers, that's why we have an extra fast bowler," Babar said.

Playing XI:

Bangladesh: Liton Das, Mohammad Naim, Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Afif Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (C), Imam Ul Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf