Shawdesh Desk:

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and opted to bat first against the host Pakistan in the first match of the Asia Cup Super Four at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday.

Litton Das replaces Najmul Hossain Shanto as Bangladesh were forced to make the change from their last match against Afghanistan after Shanto injured his hamstring and was ruled out of the tournament.

Pakistan made one change from their rain-abandoned game against India in the group stage, bringing in allrounder Faheem Ashraf in place of Mohammad Nawaz.

Teams:

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

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

The two captains’ statements after the toss:

Shakib: “If we put runs on the board, it will put pressure on them. We want to replicate what we did against Afghanistan but we are facing the No. 1 team in the world so we need to play our best. We know what their strengths and weaknesses are. We have to face those challenges but we are up for those challenges. Litton replaces Shanto.”

Babar: “We would have batted also. But the pitch has a little bit grass so we want to use that. We plan to look after all the fast bowlers. We are playing in the heat. To be honest I am looking forward to the match. Will try to break the record but will look to win the match. Last night we saw the conditions helped fast bowlers so we think about adding a fast bowler. Sometimes in the night and the first innings it helps the fast bowlers.”