CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and sent Zimbabwe into bat in their five-match Twenty20 series-opener on Friday.

Tanzid Hasan is making his T20 debut after playing 15 ODIs for Bangladesh. The hosts also recalled allrounder Mohammad Saifuddin, who played his last T20 in October 2022.

Bangladesh is without pacer Mustafizur Rahman and allrounder Shakib Al Hasan, both rested for the first three matches against Zimbabwe.

Wicketkeeper-batter Joylord Gumbie, who has played 12 ODIs, makes his T20 debut for Zimbabwe.

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Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mohammad Saifuddin.

Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (captain), Craig Ervine, Joylord Gumbie, Brian Bennett, Sean Williams, Clive Madande, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Ryan Burl, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket