• Source:JND
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Bangladesh's preparations for the first Test against Pakistan have been dealt a setback with the news that opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy will be absent due to injury.

The 23-year-old suffered a groin strain while playing for Bangladesh A, with medical scans confirming a Grade 1 adductor strain that will keep him out of action for the time being.

Joy's injury will keep him out of the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, and he'll face a tight deadline to recover in time for the second Test, also in Rawalpindi, starting August 30.

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"Joy had complained of pain in the right groin on 14 August while playing for Bangladesh A in the four-day match against Pakistan A," Bangladesh team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan saidas quoted by ICC.

"He underwent an MRI followed by physical assessment and it has since been confirmed that he has a Grade 1 adductor strain in the right groin. He has begun his rehab. Such injuries usually take about 10 to 14 days to recover from. He will not be available for the first Test but we hope to have him fit for the second Test which starts on 30 August," he added.

Since his debut against Pakistan in 2021, Mahmudul Hasan Joy has been a consistent presence in Bangladesh's Test team, compiling a century and four half-centuries in 13 matches.

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With Bangladesh currently eighth in the World Test Championship standings, the team is eager to secure two strong results in Pakistan to remain in the running for a spot in next year's inaugural final at Lord's, making Joy's absence a significant blow to their chances.

Bangladesh Test squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumar Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed and Syed Khaled Ahmed.