Zaheer may miss Ireland ODIs

Zaheer Khan has enjoyed his latest stint in Indian colours © AFP Enlarge

Zaheer Khan is likely to be ruled out of upcoming ODI series against South Africa in Ireland after sustaining a groin strain during the second Afro-Asia Cup game at Chennai.

Zaheer left the field after bowling just 2.4 overs against Africa on June 9 and was replaced by Mashrafe Mortaza for the third and final match.

India's physio and medical staff have yet to determine how long Zaheer will be out of the game. He was taken to a local hospital in the company of physio John Gloster for a MRI scan of the hip and a report is expected soon. "The MRI scan revealed it's a groin injury and I have sent my observation to the board," Gloster said was reported as saying in a PTI report.

A decision on Zaheer's selection for the Ireland and England trips will be taken when a clearer picture emerges, Dilip Vengsarkar, the chairman of selectors, told Cricinfo. "We don't know the exact nature of the problem yet and will take a decision when we have an update."

India are scheduled to play three matches in Ireland between June 26 and July 1 ahead of a one-off ODI against Pakistan at Glasgow on July 3. The squad for these four matches will be picked on June 12 in Delhi.