Mahmudul's Availability for Tests against Pakistan in Question after Injury

Bangladesh may be starting their two-Test series in Pakistan without Mahmudul Hasan Joy, as the opening batter is currently dealing with a groin injury. According to sources at ESPNcricinfo, the Bangladesh team management anticipates that it will take approximately two weeks for his injury to heal. This timeline casts doubt on his availability not only for the first Test in Rawalpindi, set to take place from August 21 to 25, but also for the second Test in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.

Mahmudul is in Pakistan already, and played a four-day game for Bangladesh A against Pakistan A in Islamabad earlier this week. He scored 65 out of a Bangladesh A total of 122 in the first innings, and didn't bat in the second innings as they finished with 153 for 5 on the last day.

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Bangladesh's 16-member squad trained at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from August 14 to 16, and were scheduled to travel to Islamabad on August 17. The Karachi Test will be played without spectators because of ongoing construction work at the National Stadium.

The injury is set to upset a relatively settled opening combination, with Mahmudul and Zakir Hasan having batted at the top of the order in each of Bangladesh's last five Tests. Of the other batters in the squad, Shadman Islam is likely to take Mahmudul's place should he not be available for selection.