India''s Zaheer out of Champions Trophy

NEW DELHI: India''s pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has been forced out of next month''s Champions Trophy in South Africa after undergoing shoulder surgery, officials said on Friday.

Zaheer, 30, underwent surgery in Johannesburg in July after injuring his left shoulder while playing for Mumbai Indians during the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament in April-May.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement that the left-arm paceman could be out of action till the end of the year.

Zaheer will miss the limited overs tri-series against New Zealand and hosts Sri Lanka from September 8-14 which precedes the Champions Trophy in South Africa from Sept 22-October 5.

He will also sit out the seven one-day internationals against Australia at home in October-November and remains a doubtful starter for the Test and one-day series against Sri Lanka at home in November-December.