Babar Azam left out as Pakistan opt to bowl first in Mirpur

Babar Azam was a notable absentee as Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first in the opening Test against Bangladesh national cricket team at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Babar was ruled out with a left knee injury, while Pakistan handed debuts to openers Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais. Captain Shan Masood chose to exploit the green surface after winning the toss.

Experienced pacer Mohammad Abbas returned to the side, joining Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali in the pace attack.

Bangladesh fielded a full-strength XI, with fast bowler Nahid Rana spearheading the attack alongside the returning Taskin Ahmed.

Bangladesh XI: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumar Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Nahid Rana.

Pakistan XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal, Azan Awais, Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas.