WASIM Akram has suffered a serious injury and is heading to England earlier than expected for intensive treatment.

And there is a fear now that he could be out of action until the middle of May, sidelining him for the Benson and Hedges Cup qualifying campaign and two championship games. Wasim pulled out of Pakistan's two match tour of Sri Lanka today with a shoulder strain and he admitted: "It may take a few weeks before I shall be able to bowl."

The Pakistan captain is heading for England to receive treatment, giving Lancashire a major problem.

The Old Trafford club knew that, because of the tour, he would be unavailable until May 2 when they play their third B and H tie at Edgbaston. Now, unless he recovers quickly, eh could miss the whole qualifying programme along with championship and Sunday League games again Durham and Notts.

Lancashire have plenty of top quality seam bowlers, including Peter Martin, Glen Chapple, Ian Austin and Richard Green, but they were hoping that Wasim would give them an early boost to a vital season.

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