By IANS,
Bangalore : India’s pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has decided to skip the tri-series in Bangladesh next month to rest his troublesome ankle so that he can prepare for the Asia Cup in Pakistan and Sri Lanka tour. Zaheer injured his ankle again while playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
An ankle injury had forced the left-arm seamer to return home from Australia after the first Test last season. He was also not available for the home series against Pakistan and South Africa in the winter.
Zaheer last played a one-day international against Pakistan at Gwalior in November.
Zaheer, however, was back in action in the IPL, playing for the Bangalore Royal Challengers. He ran in vigorously to generate good pace. He claimed 13 wickets in 11 matches before pulling out of the last three games, against Chennai Super Kings, Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians.
Zaheer apparently feels he is not yet ready to return to international cricket and wants to rest his sore ankle so that he can be fully fit for the Asia Cup in Pakistan from June 24 and then the long tour of Sri Lanka.
The national selectors, who are meeting in Mumbai Friday to pick the squad for Bangladesh and the Asia Cup, have been informed about Zaheer’s injury.