Bangladesh bat after in series decider against Pakistan

The hosts have kept an unchanged XI for the third straight match

Bangladesh have been sent in to bat after losing the toss in the third and final ODI against Pakistan, with the hosts chasing both a series win and a possible rise in the ICC rankings.

Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss for the first time in the three-match series and chose to bowl at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.

Afridi said injuries to batters Hussain Talat and Shamyl Hussain had influenced the decision, while also pointing to the conditions.

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz said he had no issue batting first, adding that the pitch looked good and that a total of 250 to 260 would be a competitive score at the venue.

The match, which begins at 2:15pm, will decide the outcome of the three-match ODI series.

Bangladesh have produced contrasting performances in the first two games. The hosts swept Pakistan aside in the opening match before slumping to a heavy defeat in the second.

Miraz’s side now have the chance to bounce back with another strong display and seal the series.

Bangladesh have retained the same XI for a third straight match.

Saif Hassan has kept his place despite two successive failures, while Taskin Ahmed also remains in the side despite not making much impact with the new ball.

Tanvir Islam, Shoriful Islam, Soumya Sarkar and Mahidul Islam Ankon again miss out.

Bangladesh XI: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Kumar Das, Afif Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana.