An abdominal injury could see the fast-bowler miss the entire T20I tri-series against Pakistan and Bangladesh. Ferguson was absent from last year's tournament with a calf problem and won't be unnecessarily risked before the upcoming tournament
Lockie Ferguson won't be risked during the tri-series ahead of the T20 World Cup after the New Zealand seamer picked up an abdominal injury.
He missed the six-wicket defeat to Pakistan and could sit out the entire tri-series, which also includes Bangladesh, as a precaution.
Ferguson was absent from last year's World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman with a calf injury and the Black Caps won't do anything that risks him being sidelined again.
"Lockie has a little ab injury at the moment," said head coach John Stead.
"We're just managing just that and the most important thing is we get to the start of the World Cup and Lockie is ready to go," Stead said.
"He's a very, very important cog in our bowling line-up. Unfortunately for him, he missed last year's World Cup with the injury he had then.
"I mean we are mindful of it and we want to make sure that he's right and ready for those early games in the World Cup.
Daryl Mitchell played a key role in New Zealand reaching last year's T20 World Cup final (Randy Brooks/AFP via Getty Images)
"There is that chance [of missing the whole tri-series]. We will just see how he responds to treatment over the next few days."
The Kiwis are already sweating over the fitness of Daryl Mitchell, who suffered a fractured finger while batting in the nets on Friday (October 7). Dane Cleaver has been enlisted as his replacement for the tri-series.
Mitchell's right hand has been placed in a cast for the next two weeks but the medical team are confident of a full recovery in time for New Zealand's opening game against hosts Australia on October 22. The squad depart for the tournament on October 15.
"Obviously, not ideal timing but we've got some good news around where the fracture is in the hand and the time frame to be ready for the first game in Australia in a couple of weeks' time," Mitchell told Spark Sport.
"We'll do everything we can to try and be ready and fingers crossed that I'll be good to go."
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