PAK vs BAN 1st Test: Bangladesh Opt to Field First as Day 1's Play Begins After 4 Hour Delay

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Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has won the toss and elected to bowl first as day 1 of the 1st Test against Pakistan begins after a 4-hour delay at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Wednesday (August 21).

Overnight showers forced the delay to the toss and start of play on day one of the two-Tests series opener. However, after some exposure to sunlight and ground staff's work there was chance of 48 overs to be bowled in the day.

The home side led by Shan Masood had already announced their playing 11 on the eve of the Test with Mohammad Ali being named in the four-man pace attack, while Bangladesh, who will miss the services of Mahmudul Hasan Joy, named all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in the side.

Opting to bowl first, Bangladesh captain Najmul said: "The wicket has moisture, so will help our seam bowlers. We have a very good combination with seam bowlers and allrounders, we had a very good preparation. It is very important how we play this Test match.

"I'm very lucky and very thankful to our cricket board, I'm enjoying the captaincy. We have six batters, two allrounders and three seamers."

Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Masood said: "We were going to bowl first as well, we have never played in Pindi in August before. The pitch has a lot of grass so yeah it will be quite challenging.

"It has rained as well, but if we bat well, towards the end of the game with the cracks, it will be tough to bat. Test cricket is about picking 20 wickets and when we went to Australia that was one of our targets, our bowlers did well there and it's about continuing that momentum with 7 of 9 Tests at home and we would like to do that.

"We have been very clear, we have communicated with players, it removes the uncertainty a bit. It's a proud moment, privilege and nothing is guaranteed in sport and it's an exciting opportunity to push for a place in the WTC final." Here is a look at PAK vs BAN 1st Test Playing 11:

Pakistan vs Bangladesh 1st Test Playing 11

Bangladesh XI: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (w), Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana.

Pakistan XI: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Agha Salman, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali.

How to watch the Pakistan vs Bangladesh 1st Test in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh & Rest of the World?

India: Tamasha app or website
Pakistan: A Sports, Ten Sports, Tapmad, Tamasha, ARY Zap
Bangladesh: T Sports
Rest of the World: Sports Central YouTube Channel
UK: TNT Sports, ARY Digital
North America: Willow
MENA: Cricbuzz