Injured Kiwi pacer Southee pulls out of CL T20

New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee, on Tuesday, pulled out of the Champions League Twenty20 cricket tournament after suffering a knee injury.

Southee, who recently won the ICC Twenty20 International Performance of the Year award, was scheduled to fly to India this week to join the Chennai Super Kings ahead of their first match on September 24.

But now, he will stay home for treatment in an attempt to be fit for New Zealand's upcoming tour of Zimbabwe.

"Tim has suffered some cartilage damage to his left knee while preparing for the Champions League," New Zealand director of cricket John Buchanan said.

"He requires further assessment to determine the seriousness of the injury but initial signs indicate that he is unlikely to require surgery.

"A call on his availability for the Black Caps' tour of Zimbabwe will be made closer to the time."

Southee won the year award for his five wickets in eight balls, including a hat-trick, when New Zealand beat Pakistan by five wickets last December.