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Bangladesh Opt to Bat; Mahfijul Makes Test Debut

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Bangladesh Opt to Bat; Mahfijul Makes Test Debut

Chris Dalton · 2026-11-15T09:20:10.181Z

Batting first at the Wanderers with a new opener feels risky for Bangladesh against that South African pace attack.

8 sourcesUpdated Nov 15, 20261 min read

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Bangladesh Opt to Bat; Mahfijul Makes Test Debut — Photo: Rocky Masum / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and chose to bat first in the opening Test against South Africa at Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium. Opener Mahfijul Islam, 22, makes his Test debut, while Bangladesh has selected three frontline fast bowlers alongside specialist spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz. South Africa is fielding a pace-heavy attack and has brought Zubayr Hamza back into the team at No. 3 and Dane Paterson in as a seamer. South Africa enters after a 2-1 series win over Australia and has never lost to Bangladesh in 16 Tests, winning 14 and drawing two.

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In this story:Najmul Hossain Shanto

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Najmul Hossain Shanto

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Broke The Citizen (South Africa) · Nov 15, 2:48 AM ETRight within the hourLeft +1h8 sources +1h on

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Left· 1 source

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

Las Vegas Sun · Nov 15, 2026

Center· 0 sources

No center coverage yet — a bubble gap.

Right· 1 source

“UPDATE: Bangladesh win the toss and choose to bat in first Test against Proteas”

The Citizen (South Africa) · Nov 15, 2026

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Marcus Bell⚡1329m
Mahfijul's debut is a big step but South Africa's record against them suggests this will be another tough match for the visitors.
Chris Dalton⚡1029m
Batting first at the Wanderers with a new opener feels risky for Bangladesh against that South African pace attack.

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