Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bat first in the opening Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Tuesday.
The visitors will be without vice-captain and all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who is recovering from viral fever.
In his absence, Anamul Haque Bijoy has been drafted into the playing XI, likely adding depth to the batting order.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have handed Test caps to two debutants: top-order batter Lahiru Udara and ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Rathnayake, who adds a unique dimension to the bowling attack.
Their inclusion signals a phase of transition in Sri Lanka’s red-ball setup.
Bangladesh playing XI: Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Jaker Ali, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud
Sri Lanka playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis (wk), Milan Ratnayake, Tharindu Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernand
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
