Mahmudul Hasan Joy doubtful for Tests in Pakistan

Mahmudul Hasan Joy. (Source – Bangladesh Cricket)

Pakistan and Bangladesh are all set to take on each other in a two-game Test series. Both sides will face off in the first Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on August 21, and both teams will hope to put in their best performance in hopes of climbing the World Test Championship standings.

Ahead of the first Test, Bangladesh were dealt some bad news as opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy suffered a groin injury. The injury can take around two weeks to heal, and it will see the star batter miss out on not just the first, but both Tests against Pakistan.

Mahmudul had reached Pakistan for the series, even competing in a four-day game for Bangladesh A against Pakistan A in Islamabad earlier this week. The 23-year-old scored 65 runs in the first innings of the clash, and he did not come out to bat in the second innings.

It is worth noting that Bangladesh’s entire squad trained at the Gaddafi Stadium from August 14 to 16. They had been scheduled to make their visit to Islamabad on August 17. With Mahmudul now injured, Bangladesh’s plans for the opening spot seem to have a big dent.

Mahmudul and Zakir Hasan had been opening for the side and were quite settled in the position, and with his injury, Shadman Islam is expected to take his place as the side’s opener for the Pakistan Tests.

Both Pakistan and Bangladesh will be looking to register wins in the upcoming Test matches. The wins could go a long way for the teams in regard to the WTC standings.

Currently, Bangladesh sits in eighth place in the standings with one win and three losses in four matches. With 12 points to their names, they will be hoping to register a win and move up in the standings. On the other hand, Pakistan sits sixth in the standings. Having played five Tests, the side has won two and lost the remaining three. They will aim to win their third test and move up as well.