Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat against the West Indies in the BAN vs WIN Test 2026 at Mirpur on Wednesday, with Mushfiqur Rahim ruled out by a finger injury.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto made the call at the toss. Towhid Hridoy, who scored an unbeaten 350 for Bangladesh A in South Africa in August, takes the place of the 38-year-old veteran, Prothom Alo English reported.
The match opens the final stretch of Bangladesh's World Test Championship campaign. According to Prothom Alo English, Bangladesh are fourth in the standings and face a demanding task: they must win at least four of their remaining six Tests in the cycle to reach the final, starting with this one.
Why is Mushfiqur Rahim not playing in the Mirpur Test?
Mushfiqur hurt his right index finger during Tuesday morning's practice session and was seen in considerable pain, Prothom Alo English reported. He went back to the dressing room with tape wrapped around the finger and did not bat again in that session.
X-rays found no serious damage. He had been considered available for selection on Tuesday night, according to Prothom Alo English, but was ultimately left out of the playing XI.
It is the second Test in a row against the West Indies that Mushfiqur has missed. He was also absent through injury for Bangladesh's last Test against them, on the 2024 tour of the Caribbean.
Towhid Hridoy gets his Test chance after 350 for Bangladesh A
Hridoy made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in June. Two months later he scored an unbeaten 350 for Bangladesh A on their tour of South Africa, Prothom Alo English reported.
He comes into a batting group led by Shanto that also includes openers Tanzid Hasan and Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque and Litton Das.
Bangladesh have picked two fast bowlers, Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud, alongside three specialist spinners, according to Prothom Alo English.
Bangladesh playing XI vs West Indies, and the visitors' side
Bangladesh:
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain)
- Tanzid Hasan
- Shadman Islam
- Mominul Haque
- Litton Das
- Towhid Hridoy
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz
- Nayeem Hasan
- Hasan Mahmud
- Taijul Islam
- Shoriful Islam
West Indies:
- Jonathan Campbell
- Brandon King
- Tagenarine Chanderpaul
- Kavem Hodge
- Amir Jangoo (wicketkeeper)
- Roston Chase (captain)
- Justin Greaves
- Joshua Bishop
- Shamar Joseph
- Jomel Warrican
- Jayden Seales
What Bangladesh need to reach the World Test Championship final
Six Tests remain for Bangladesh in the current cycle, and they need to win at least four of them to reach the final, Prothom Alo English reported. That leaves room for no more than two results that are not wins, with the Mirpur Test the first of the six.
Shanto played down the wider target on Tuesday. He said his attention was firmly on the match at hand rather than on reaching the World Test Championship final, Prothom Alo English reported.
The West Indies arrive under less pressure. They are eighth in the standings, and according to Prothom Alo English a top-five finish in the cycle would satisfy their immediate ambitions and bring additional financial benefits.
Prothom Alo English described the Mirpur Test as an important first step for Bangladesh in keeping their hopes of reaching the final alive. The visitors, by contrast, will be looking to improve their standing without the same pressure to qualify.
Prothom Alo English did not name Bangladesh's other five remaining Tests in the cycle, say when they will be played or give the number of Tests in the current series against the West Indies.
It also did not say how long Mushfiqur is expected to be out, or whether he will be fit for Bangladesh's next Test.