SHARJAH, April 17: Sri Lanka suffered a big setback when ace off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan sustained a nasty shoulder injury while fielding during the Pakistan innings in the final of the Sharjah Cup final here Wednesday.

He was immediately rushed to hospital to ascertain the extent of the injury and minimize damage.

Muralitharan, who turned 30 Wednesday, slipped, fell down and rolled over while fielding at point in the 11th over with Pakistan on 72 for two. His left shoulder twice banged against the ground and the bowler was in great pain.

The Sri Lankan coach, Dav Whatmore and physio, Alex Kontouri, decided to shift him to hospital where X-rays of his left shoulder revealed there was a tear to the ligaments but no dislocation. He was administered pain killers.

A source in the Sri Lanka camp confirmed that Muralitharan’s muscles between the collar bone and shoulder were ruptured and the off-spinner may be out of action for a month or so.

AFP adds: Muralitharan’s damaged ligaments raised doubts of his availability for next month’s tour of England.

Team physiotherapist, Alex Kontouri, who accompanied Muralitharan to hospital, said he was consulting a doctor in Australia to see if immediate surgery was required.

“If the surgery is needed, we want Muralitharan to have it as soon as possible and may send him to Australia soon,” said Sri Lankan cricket official Michael Tissera.

Officials, however, refused to say if Muralitharan will be available for the three-Test series against England starting on May 17 — exactly a month from now.

Muralitharan, who has 412 wickets from 73 Tests, was expected to be one of Sri Lanka’s star performers in the series.