Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria will miss the rest of the English county season and will need surgery on a broken finger sustained while playing for Essex.

Kaneria, Pakistan's fifth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with 220 victims, suffered a small fracture on the end of a finger attempting to take a return catch on day two of the County Championship match against Worcestershire at Castle Park, Colchester on Thursday.

"Danish saw a hand specialist on Friday morning at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford for a second opinion on the best management of the injury," Essex physio Peter Gettings said.

“It was decided he needs an operation and will miss the rest of the English county season.

“The only area left for discussion is whether Danish will have the operation in England or back in Pakistan.”

Essex first-team coach Paul Grayson told the club's website: “Danish’s injury is a big blow to us because he’s a world-class performer and has been a massive part of our success.

"But we have a good replacement in Tim Phillips, who has played a big part for us in one-day games in previous years, so this is a good opportunity for him to show what he can do.”

Kaneria is not involved in Pakistan's one-day team activities currently so his next cricket is likely to be for his domestic team Habib Bank.