Haider injury leaves team exposed

Hong Kong will need to hunt for a new fast bowler to open the attack after Afzaal Haider broke down during the third game against the Sri Lanka Academy XI in Colombo on Monday.

'Afzaal could only bowl four overs. He broke down and we really don't know what the injury is. It is a concern especially with the Tanzania trip coming up,' said Hong Kong coach Aftab Habib.

The injury could be the end of the line for the 36-year-old Haider (pictured) who was called back into the squad for the 10-day training trip to Sri Lanka after being dropped for the ACC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur last month.

'We don't know if he will be fit in time for Tanzania,' Habib said. Hong Kong will leave for Dar-es-Salaam at the end of this month to take part in the ICC World Cricket League Division Four tournament.

Haider's absence could open the door for the return of left-arm medium-pacer Khalid Khan, or bring back Zafaran Ali to partner Irfan Ahmed in the opening attack.