Injured Saqib Ali ruled out of Afghanistan game

The Pakistan-born UAE all-rounder could miss up to three months of cricket action, recuperating from a knee injury if tests reveal a ligament tear.

DUBAI // Saqib Ali has been ruled out of the UAE's tie with Afghanistan in the ICC Intercontinental Cup at the Sharjah Stadium this week after suffering a knee injury in a warm-up game.

The 33-year-old Pakistan-born all-rounder is suspected to have a torn ligament. If the reports are confirmed, he may have to undergo surgery that will keep him out of the game for more than three months.

"We have already done an MRI scan and, according to that report, it shows he has suffered a medial meniscus tear," Sudhakar Chitrala, the team physiotherapist, said on Saturday.

"We have sent those reports to the specialist to have a closer look and will definitely know of the injury by today."

"If he has a torn ligament then he will have to undergo surgery, which will take around a month to heal, one month for therapy and one more month to get back to fitness. But right now we have to wait for the report."

Saqib stepped out of the crease to play a shot in a friendly match against Afghanistan when he suffered the injury at the ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai last Thursday.

"I twisted my right knee when I stepped out to play a shot," Saqib said. "It was very painful at that time and I knew immediately the injury was quite serious."

Saqib hit 153 to lead the UAE to a big away win over Kenya in the opening game of the ICC Intercontinental Cup in July.