Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bat in the first of two Tests against South Africa at Mirpur on Monday.
The Test is the first international cricket fixture in Bangladesh since a student-led revolution toppled autocratic premier Sheikh Hasina in August.
The series carries points towards the World Test Championship, with the final in England next year.
South Africa currently are sixth in the standings with Bangladesh seventh.
The Proteas are captained by Aiden Markram in the absence of Temba Bavuma, who is injured.
The second Test is in Chittagong, also called Chattogram, starting on Tuesday, 29 October.
TEAMS
Bangladesh
Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud
South Africa
Aiden Markram (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Ryan Rickelton, Matthew Breetzke, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Piedt
Umpires: Joel Wilson (WIS), Nitin Menon (IND)
TV umpire: Langton Rusere (ZIM)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
