Bangladesh choose to bat in one-day international

Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bat in the first one-day international against South Africa at the Diamond Oval on Sunday.


Bangladesh where still without injured opening batsman Tamim Iqbal while leading bowler Mustafizur Rahman was ruled out after suffering an injury during training. Fast bowler Mohammed Saifuddin, 20, won a first cap.

Captain Mashrafe Mortaza said: “It looks a good wicket to bat on. Hopefully we can make a good total and defend it.”

South Africa gave a first one-day international cap to fast bowler Dane Paterson. “Over the next 12 months or so our squad will change quite a bit,” said captain Faf du Plessis. “The nucleus will stay but it is important to give other guys an opportunity building up to the (2019) World Cup.”

Du Plessis said he was comfortable about bowling first. “The stats here are heavily in favour of chasing,” he said.

Teams

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, David Miller, JP Duminy, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, Imran Tahir

Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin

Umpires: Bongani Jele (RSA), Aleem Dar (PAK)

TV umpire: Richira Palliyaguruge (SRI)

Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)