KARACHI, Sept 13: Pakistan vice-captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was a doubtful starter for the home Test series against Australia starting at Colombo from Oct 3.

Insiders said Inzamam was still suffering from heel injury and had been advised surgery.

Chisty Mujahid, director of the PCB, said from Lahore that he was aware that Inzamam was not fit but was unaware if he was contemplating undergoing surgery.

“I am in constant touch with the team management in Colombo but I have not been informed of this development. Now since I have been told, I will inquire,” he remarked.

Inzamam has reportedly said that if he doesn’t undergo surgery now, his career would be finished in six months. The burly batsman has failed miserably in the last six weeks in which he has missed nearly half the games.

Inzamam underwent knee surgery after the Super Challenge Series-II against Australia in July. In 1997, he was also operated upon the knees, a problem which experts believe is because of his weight.

Chisty said Dr Riaz Ahmad, team’s doctor, would also be discussed in Satur-day’s meeting at Rawalpindi.

It was surprising to note that despite being seriously injured and with the batsman fearing the end of his career, Inzamam was not sent home from Nairobi but was retained for the ICC Champions Trophy.

Dr Riaz’s role has also been questioned in Yousuf Youhana’s incident when he misled the team officials by not informing them of the batsman’s shoulder injury.