Zaheer eyes Asia Cup return

Zaheer hopes to attend an Indian training camp next week

Indian pace bowler Zaheer Khan expects to return from a hamstring injury in time for next month's Asia Cup.

Zaheer, who has struggled with the injury since December, pulled out of a spell with Surrey just 10 days ago.

But after an Indian training camp for fast bowlers he said: "My fitness is fine now, but I'm at a stage where I just need to bowl more and more.

"Injuries have been a worry for me, but this is just a phase and I'm confident it will soon go."

Zaheer was sidelined for two months during India's tour of Australia because of hamstring trouble.

He returned for the Pakistan series in March, but was sent home midway through the tour when the injury recurred.

Since then, youngsters Irfan Pathan and Lakshmipathy Balaji have stepped up as the leaders of the pace attack.

"It's very difficult to come back from injury and perform immediately," Zaheer added.

"The only way is to bowl in the nets, focus on line and length and try to get your rhythm back."

Sri Lanka will host India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and qualifiers Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates in the Asia Cup, which begins on 16 July.