Saqlain Mushtaq: Pakistan and Surrey will miss him, though no necessarily in that order© AFP

Saqlain Mustaq, the Pakistani offspinner, is all set to undergo a second knee surgery, and will be out of cricket for several months as a result. Doctors have advised him to undergo surgery at the earliest to treat this career-threatening injury.

Saqlain has already had surgery on his left knee, earlier this year, and the fresh procedure is likely to lay him low for as many as 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," Saqlain is quoted as saying to Reuters.

Saqlain's injury comes on the back of the announcement that Umar Gul, the promising young mediumpacer, was out of action because of a troublesome back that needed treatment.

While Saqlain has been in and out of the Pakistan team, he has performed with success for Surrey over the last few years. Saqlain's last match for Pakistan was a disappointing one, against India at Multan, where he had meagre returns of 1 wicket for 204 runs.