MULTAN, Sept 5: Pakistan opening batsman Taufiq Umar is a doubtful starter for the New Zealand in December, after doctors advised surgery on his left knee that is expected to keep him out of action for at least three months.

A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said on Friday that the 22-year-old left-hander is automatically out of the five-match one-day series against Bangladesh and the Test and one-day series with South Africa as well as the planned five One-dayers against New Zealand.

“Taufiq suffered rotational injury in his left knee during practice. He would require complete rest for two weeks to recover from the acute phase,” according to Pakistan team doctor Riaz Ahmed.

“After that he will then be operated upon which would take a further eight to 10 weeks to recover from the post-surgical rehabilitation period,” he added.