Mushtaq faces new knee operation to save career

Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq is to undergo a second knee operation and has been told he will need to rest for several months to recover from a career-threatening injury.

The 28-year-old had surgery on his left knee earlier this year and has missed most of the summer with Surrey. Further treatment on his right knee in October will put him out of action for another six months.

"It is disappointing to be in such a situation but the doctors say that if I don't get proper and permanent treatment, my career could come to an abrupt end," he said today.

Mushtaq is the second Pakistani cricketer this month to be ruled out for a long period because of fitness problems.

Last week paceman Umar Gul was told he could not play for at least six months because of a stress fracture in his back.