Bangladesh's Mahmudul Hasan Joy to Miss First Test

Bangladesh will be without opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy for the start of their two-Test series in Pakistan, as the batter is sidelined with a groin injury. The team's management anticipates a recovery period of approximately two weeks, ruling him out of the first Test in Rawalpindi, which is scheduled for August 21 to 25.

Team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan shared that Joy experienced pain in his right groin on August 14 while playing for Bangladesh A in a four-day match against Pakistan A. Following an MRI and a physical assessment, it was confirmed that he has a Grade 1 adductor strain in his right groin. Khan mentioned that Joy has already begun his rehabilitation, and while the injury typically takes 10 to 14 days to heal, he will miss the first Test but is expected to be fit for the second Test starting on August 30.

Mahmudul had scored 65 in the first innings for Bangladesh A, which managed a total of 122 in Islamabad. He did not bat in the second innings, where the team ended at 153 for 5. His absence disrupts a consistent opening partnership with Zakir Hasan, who has been his partner in Bangladesh's last five Tests. If Mahmudul remains unavailable, Shadman Islam is likely to step in as his replacement.

Bangladesh's 16-member squad trained at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from August 14 to 16 and was scheduled to travel to Islamabad on August 17. Both Tests will now be played in Rawalpindi due to venue changes necessitated by ongoing construction in Karachi.