Zaheer's non-availability is speculation: BCCI

The BCCI today dismissed reports about the likely non-availability of India's pace spearhead Zaheer Khan for next month's World Twenty20 Championship in England, terming them speculative.

"No such decision has been taken (to leave out Zaheer). It's all speculation," sources in the Board said here.

Zaheer suffered an injury on his bowling shoulder during the early part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) while playing for the Mumbai Indians. He suffered the injury while diving to stop a drive from Bangalore Royal Challengers batsman Robin Uthappa at the Wanderers on May 3 and underwent a scan that indicated some inflammation.

Though the team management said the injury was not as serious as was thought before the scan, the left-arm pacer did not play the remaining seven matches for his team in the IPL.

Zaheer has stayed back in South Africa at the end of Mumbai Indians' campaign while his parents have joined him there, sources in Mumbai Indians team revealed.

"We are not aware if he has stayed back to receive any treatment for his injured shoulder there", they said, adding "He should be back in a day or two."

The Indian squad, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, is set to depart for England on May 29 to defend their title in the World T20 Championship commencing on June 5.