Bangladesh wins toss and opts to bat against South Africa in first test

Bangladesh has chosen to bat first against South Africa in the opening cricket test of a two-match seriesByThe Associated PressNovember 15, 2026, 3:28 AMJOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Nazmal Hossian Shanto won the toss and Bangladesh opted to bat against top-ranked South Africa in the first cricket test of a two-match series on Sunday.South Africa took the No. 1 spot after its recent series win at home against Australia but sits second on the World Test Championship table, with New Zealand first. The top two sides will contest the final in June 2027. Bangladesh is placed fifth, after losing 1-0 at home to the West Indies.South Africa has made two changes from the side that beat Australia in Cape Town with Zubayr Humza coming in for David Bedingham while Dane Paterson replaces Gerald Coetzee.Both Humza and Paterson last played test cricket in 2024.Bangladesh has opted for three seamers in its eleven – Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain and Taskin Ahmed – with one spin all-rounder in Mehidy Hasan Miraz.The Wanderers’ pitch should aid fast bowlers with ample pace and bounce, making it a tough examination for batters from both sides.Centurion will host the second test from Nov. 23. Popular Reads___Lineups:Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mahfijul Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mominul Haque, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain, Taskin Ahmed.South Africa: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, Zubayr Hamza, Temba Bavuma (captain), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson.___See AP’s full cricket coverage hereSponsored Content by Taboola