Multan Sultans suffer major blow as Steve Smith ruled out of PSL 2019

KARACHI: PSL team Multan Sultans suffered a big blow on Saturday as Sultan’s Australian batsman Steve Smith was ruled out of Pakistan Super League 2019 due to an elbow injury.

Smith was asked to return home from Bangladesh where he was playing in Bangladesh Premier League after he felt discomfort while batting.

It is still unclear that how Smith picked the injury but he was unable to bat due to the problem.

Smith will now undergo surgery and is expected to wear a brace for six weeks before commencing rehabilitation which has ruled him out from Pakistan Super League, which will be played from February 14 to March 17 as the former Australian captain is not expected to regain full fitness in this period.

“I am disappointed I won’t be able to play in HBL PSL but I wish Multan Sultans all the best for this year’s tournament,” said Steve Smith.

“I was looking forward to playing the tournament and helping the team try to win the trophy. We have a talented team and I am confident that they will do very well.”

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed disappointment over the development.

"We are sad to lose a player of Steve’s caliber but we wish him a speedy recovery," said a PCB spokesman.

"Hopefully we will see him in future editions of HBL PSL, the league fans would miss seeing him live in action this season."

According to the PCB, Multan Sultans will now seek a replacement for Smith at the Replacement Draft later this month.