Already out of the opening match, Pakistan captain Younis Khan could end up missing his team's entire group stage campaign of the Champions Trophy in South Africa due to a hand injury.
"Second x-rays have confirmed that it is a hairline fracture in his right index finger and it will take time to heal," a source in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.
"Although the team management in South Africa have decided to handle Younis' case on a match by match basis but there are strong chances he might not be able to play in the remaining group matches against India and Australia as well," the source said.
Younis has already been ruled out of the team's opening game against the West Indies with all-rounder Shahid Afridi replacing him as captain.
Pakistan manager Yawar Saeed said from Johannesburg that since it was a fracture It would take some time to heal. "We decided to not play Younis in the first match to give him more time to rest and recover. If he is fit he will play against India on September 26," Yawar said.
The Pakistan manager also said Younis practiced in the nets but didn't feel comfortable because of the injury. Team sources said in all likelihood Younis has been advised a long rest by the doctors for his injury to heal but the team management is keeping the matter under wrap.
"Even the team members have not been told as yet until when Younis would be fit to resume playing in the tournament," one source stated.
The injury to Younis comes as a lucky break for Afridi, who has voiced his desire to lead his team in ODIs after he was named captain of the Twenty20 side following Pakistan's victory in the T20 World Cup in June.
"If Younis is unable to play apart from the captaincy issue the team will also have to recover and try to find a dependable number three position batsman as Younis has been successful on this position in all forms of the game," the source said.
