Dhaka, March 15 -- 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 decid...