BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 25: Michael Neser of the Bulls bowls during day one of the Sheffield Shield match between Queensland Bulls and New South Wales Blues at The Gabba on October 25, 2016 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Australian paceman Michael Neser will need to overcome a side strain to make the flight to Pakistan for next month's Test series.
The Queensland fast bowler suffered the setback in his side's Marsh Cup loss to New South Wales on Monday, initially hurting himself during the change of innings whilst warming up.
After just one legal delivery into the Blues' innings, Neser was unable to continue in the match, igniting fears within the Queensland dressing room.
Australian selectors are now set to be sweating on the diagnosis of Neser's suspected strain, which could place the 31-year-old in doubt for the sub-continent tour beginning on March 4.
Neser, who made his Test debut at the Adelaide Oval late last year, was named in Australia's 18-man Test squad as a fifth-string pace option behind Ashes hero Scott Boland and incumbent trio Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood.
Should Neser be ruled out of the tour, Western Australian Jhye Richardson is currently waiting in the wings, however his omission from the squad was a decision by selectors to place the 25-year-old on a managed workload.
Hazlewood sustained a similar injury early into Australia's 4-0 Ashes series against England and was subsequently ruled out for the final four matches of the summer.
Australia are already sweating on the health of star batsman Steve Smith, who has been ruled out of the remaining T20 matches against Sri Lanka after suffering a concussion in Sunday's super over victory at the SCG.
Neser is expected to receive further medical assessment in the coming days before a call on his fitness and selection is made.