Steve Smith to undergo elbow surgery, likely to miss stint with Multan Sultans in Pakistan Super League

Suspended Australia cricketer Steve Smith is set to undergo an elbow surgery two months before his ban is to end, putting  his availability for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) under cloud.

The former Australia captain will now undergo a surgery to repair a ligament on his right elbow on Tuesday, according to a report on cricket.com.au . The report further stated that Smith will be using braces for a period of six weeks, following which he will undergo extensive rehabilitation.

Smith, who has signed up to play for the PSL’s sixth franchise, Multan Sultans, only in the UAE leg of the event, has been advised at least six weeks rest to recover from the injury. Smith’s participation in fourth edition of the league thus, remains doubtful.

The development comes a little over four months before the World Cup is to kick off in England, which will then be followed by Australia’s defence of the Ashes. Both Smith and Warner’s suspensions are set to end on 28 March, and limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch had recently stated that the banned duo will be welcomed back to the Australian fold with open arms.

Smith had earlier pulled out of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) after representing Comilla Victorians in just two games, scoring 16 and 0 respectively.

After getting handed a ban by Cricket Australia alongside David Warner for a year for their role in the ball-tampering scandal at Cape Town in March 2018, in which Cameron Bancroft earned a nine-month penalty, Smith has plied his trade in leagues in the Caribbean, Canada as well as in the NSW Premier Cricket back home.

With inputs from PTI