Zaheer Khan doubtful for Champions League T20

Zaheer Khan unlikely to be fit for the CL T20

Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan has said that the chances of him returning in time for the Champions League Twenty20 tournament, which begins from September 13, are unlikely, ESPNcricinfo reports. He was ruled out of action in May after suffering a tendon injury in his left (bowling) arm during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Kings XI Punjab.

Zaheer, who was picked up by Mumbai Indians in the 2014 IPL Auctions, had made his umpteenth comeback for India during the 2-match Test series in South Africa last year and followed it up with two more Tests in New Zealand before his latest injury sidelined him for the ongoing tour of England. The 35-year-old took 16 wickets in those 4 Tests at an expensive average of 44, leading to criticism that he has lost his touch and that India should now look forward. Zaheer, however, said that he was more than pleased with how his comeback went.

"It is about how you are impacting the game. I was never an out and out fast bowler," Zaheer said. "I was always dependent on my skill set, how I set up a batsman and how I am making that impact in a spell. If you look at these four games, I did have spells where I got wickets in bulk. I was able to break partnerships, which is the key.

"If the opponents are having a good run, someone needs to put their hand up and break it. I was always there in that scenario and those are the checkpoints for me. I was very happy that I was able to keep up with the workload."

Not looking too much into future

With the 35-year old not getting any younger and with injuries taking a heavy toll on his body, the chances of him being given another opportunity by the Indian selectors look minute. Zaheer, though, does not want to look that far ahead and is only concentrating on getting back to full fitness for the moment.

"I like to stay in the present. Control the controllable, it's the best you can do," he said. "I don't really think about the future and what is going to happen and I don't stress about what has already happened.

"I have to just go with how my body is responding and the important thing is for me to play again, I have to bowl at my best. First I have to satisfy myself that I am there and that I can deliver. If I am able to live up to the stress and pressures of international cricket, I'll just take a call at that time."