Tigers face setback ahead of first Test against Pakistan

Bangladesh have received a blow ahead of the two-match Test series against Pakistan with their regular opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy ruled out due to groin injury. Bangladesh cricket Bard (BCB) is yet to announce any replacement for Mahmudul.
"We have received a mail regarding Mahmudul where it is stated that he sustained injury to his right groin and as a result he is being rested for three weeks," BCB chief physician Debashish Chowdhury confirmed to Cricbuzz on Saturday.
Mahmudul, who was part of the Bangladesh A team that played Shaheens in Islamabad ahead of joining the Test squad, sustained the injury while fielding and as a result could not bat in the second innings. The right-handed batter looked in good touch, making 65 in the first innings against Shaheens. He also scored 69 and 65 runs in the four-day matches that he played as part of the High Performance Unit against Shaheens.
Meanwhile, wicket-keeper batter Mushfiqur Rahim has revealed that he is hopeful of recovering from his finger injury ahead of the opening Test that prevented him from batting in the second innings for Bangladesh A during their four-day game. "In the second innings (before going to bat) I got hurt in my finger so I did not bat. Hopefully I will recover very soon and inshallah I will play in the first Test," Mushfiqur said in a statement provided by the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
The opening Test is scheduled in Rawalpindi from August 21 while the second Test will be played in Karachi from August 30. Bangladesh is travelling to Islamabad from Lahore after wrapping up a three-day practice session on Saturday. The team arrived in Pakistan early to get acquainted to the conditions and for better preparation that would have been hampered due to political unrest in the country.