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The PCB’s anger and frustration stems from the fear of the precedent this cancellation now sets for the future

Osman Samiuddin17-Sep-2021The PCB has been left in a state of “shock and disbelief” by New Zealand’s abrupt abandonment of their tour to Pakistan. New Zealand Cricket called off the tour – their first to Pakistan in 18 years – minutes before the first ODI was scheduled to start in Rawalpindi, acting on a security alert from their government. That decision has led to mounting frustration and anger within the Pakistan board, as well as fears of how it may impact their calendar this season and beyond.The derailment of this white-ball tour began on Friday with a 3am (Pakistan time) call from the NZC to the PCB about the security alert, which, 12 hours later, led to the cancellation of the cricket without a ball being bowled. ESPNcricinfo has been told that western security agencies became aware of a specific threat they deemed credible at some point in the last 36 hours which was shared with a number of governments, including New Zealand’s.Related

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Security alert: New Zealand call off Pakistan tour minutes before first ODI

Eventually that information forced a decision to call off the tour, despite a phone call between the Prime Ministers of the countries, Imran Khan and Jacinda Ardern, in which the former (in Tajikistan on an official visit) tried to salvage the situation. Soon after the first ODI’s abandonment, a Rawalpindi police advisory citing a threat to the tour issued earlier this week emerged. It is not clear if this is the advisory NZC acted upon; the PCB say New Zealand had been made aware of two events in the city (a local bodies election and a religious procession referred to in the police advisory) and the schedule had been worked around them. Discussions between the PCB and NZC did not consider a venue switch to a neutral country, primarily because it was so late in the day. In any case, the UAE, Pakistan’s home in exile for nearly a decade, is ruled out because it is hosting the IPL.The PCB, and Pakistani authorities, are nevertheless frustrated that, despite repeated attempts, no information has been shared with them regarding the threat, as well as the fact that multiple reassurances as to the visitors’ safety, and the state-level security provided to them, fell on deaf ears. They also claim that NZC security advisors on the ground, the ones on whose advice NZC said they leaned on to make this decision – remained confident in the security arrangements Pakistan had put in place for the tour. One Pakistan official also asked why, if a threat had become apparent within the last 36 hours, the New Zealand side still turned up to training the day before the game.Securitypersons stand guard outside the stadium•Anadolu Agency via Getty Image”We’re still in shock and disbelief at what has happened,” one board official said. “It’s mind-boggling that we’ve been told nothing by NZC, that no information was shared with us about any threat. Until earlier today we felt that the mood among New Zealand’s players was good and they were willing to play. We were confident in any case that we had the security protocols in place to ensure this tour would go ahead without incident.”There is plenty of anger too, as was evident first in the statement which pointedly termed New Zealand’s decision to leave as “unilateral”, and then in the new board chairman Ramiz Raja’s tweet, in which he raised the prospect of the PCB taking this to the ICC.Having hosted more and more series in Pakistan over the last couple of years, the PCB’s anger and frustration stems from the fear of the precedent this cancellation now sets for the future.The board will no doubt reach out to reassure the ECB, whose men’s and women’s teams are due to tour in October; NZC and the ECB employ the same security consultants – ESI Risk – on whose behalf Reg Dickason inspected security arrangements ahead of the New Zealand tour. The ECB has already said it will make a decision within the next 24-48 hours on the fate of the tour – which would’ve been their first since 2005-06.Next year in February-March, Australia are due to tour for the first time in over 20 years, but the status of that, even at this early distance, looks shaky. New Zealand women are scheduled to visit this season and the men’s side are also supposed to visit again in 2022-23, for a series of Tests and ODIs.

Tottenham Hotspur sporting director Fabio Paratici is now personally driving a move for an “absolute powerhouse” with the same agent as Mohammed Kudus.

Spurs looking to sign new striker amid Tel struggles

After being left out of Tottenham’s Champions League squad, Mathys Tel has now admitted he was left fuming with the decision, saying: “To be honest, I was very, very mad for a lot of weeks. But I was like, ‘use this and show him you need to be on the squad list’.

“Bad things help me more than good things to be better. So I will face a lot of bad things, but I’m going to be OK with that. I’m not in the squad list right now, but I will do everything to be in the squad list in January.”

However, Thomas Frank’s decision to omit Tel is starting to look more justified, with the striker putting in a very poor performance in the 2-1 home defeat against Aston Villa on Sunday, before being replaced by Richarlison due to a calf issue.

The Frenchman failed to have any real impact on the match, touching the ball just 15 times, while also squandering one big chance before his withdrawal on the hour mark.

As such, it may come as no surprise to learn that Tottenham are looking to sign a new striker, according to a report from The Boot Room, with Paratici personally driving a deal for FC Porto striker Samu Omorodion, but it could be very expensive.

Omorodion has a £87m release clause included in his Porto contract, although there is a feeling he may be available for a lower fee, given the Portuguese club’s current financial situation.

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ByDominic Lund Oct 20, 2025

With Dominic Solanke struggling on the injury front, and Tel yet to make a real impact, it could make sense to bring in a new striker, but the Porto star is not the only option on the shortlist, with Juventus’ Dušan Vlahović still of interest.

"Powerhouse" Omorodion could take Spurs' attack to next level

Unlike Tel, the Porto star has made a fantastic start to the campaign, having already chipped in with eight goals in nine matches in all competitions, most recently bagging a hat-trick against CD Celoricense in the Taca de Portugal.

Ben Mattinson has also suggested the 21-yeasr-old is destined to play at the very highest level, with the scout being left particularly impressed by his physical attributes.

Tottenham could certainly do with bringing in a new striker, given that Tel has struggled, while Richarlison and Solanke have suffered various injury setbacks, and Omorodion, who has the same agent as Kudus, has proven he could take their attack to the next level.

Sunderland fans have waited an awfully long time to see their beloved team face off against Newcastle United again in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light.

Indeed, it’s been ten long years since the Black Cats last did battle with the Magpies in the Tyne-Wear Derby on their own patch in the league, with the Wearside hosts running out as slim 1-0 victors.

Regis Le Bris would gladly take another nervy win like that right now, with Jermain Defoe the hero on the day that guided Sunderland away from their ongoing relegation troubles, with that vital strike.

Remembering Defoe's Derby Day heroics

Of course, Sunderland will feel disheartened if they come up short against their sworn enemy from Tyneside, but it’s not as make-or-break as other ties have been in recent memory between the two fierce rivals.

With six league wins already notched up this season, Le Bris and Co. are nowhere near the bottom three positions in the challenging division. But, back in April 2015, the Black Cats just about had their heads above water when facing off against John Carver’s Toon.

Thankfully, Defoe had packed his shooting boots for the tense game, with this stunning volley ending up being the difference-maker, which handed Sunderland their first win in nine league clashes, and placed the ex-Tottenham Hotspur striker firmly in the Stadium of Light good books.

Amazingly, the diminutive centre-forward would never come unstuck against Newcastle when donning Sunderland red and white, with a memorable 3-0 win also collected in 2016, while another goal in the eventful Derby would fall his way in a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park.

With Defoe further noted as loving the burden of scoring the goals to keep his team afloat, it will be intriguing to see in the here and now whether any stars will come to the surface for Le Bris who are willing to take the pressurised clash by the scruff of its neck.

One attacker could well be itching for a start to prove himself in this regard, having once been labelled as a “goal machine” by scout Jacek Kulig.

The "goal machine" who can Le Bris' answer to Defoe

Amazingly, Dick Advocaat had only occupied the Stadium of Light dug-out for two games when Defoe produced that moment of magic.

Le Bris also enters into the unknown later on today, having never overseen such a fierce and intense showdown, with a Defoe-style figure perhaps what he needs, too, to get one over on Eddie Howe’s tricky visitors, in the form of Brian Brobbey.

After all, the Dutchman has already chipped in with a memorable goal on Wearside, himself, when he powerfully got the better of David Raya late on in November to hand his new side a deserved share of the points against table-topping Arsenal.

With a further goal and assist also coming his way this season, despite just one limited Premier League start, he could be just what the doctor ordered for Sunderland in attempting to unnerve Howe and Co later on, with main striker option Wilson Isidor also deep in a six-game barren patch in front of goal in league action.

Dropping Isidor for Brobbey to lead the line might well prove to be an inspired switch, therefore, with the 23-year-old’s exposure to more game time perhaps catapulting him to reach Defoe’s insane Premier League numbers.

To date, Brobbey already has a stunning 144 goals next to his name playing for Ajax at senior level and youth level, alongside his glimpses of brilliance in England, with Defoe bowing out from his long-established Premier League career with a venomous 163 top-flight efforts.

Brobbey’s career goal numbers

Level played at

Games

Goals + Assists

Ajax (senior team)

163

56 + 24

Ajax U19s

41

37 + 7

Ajax U21s

34

17 + 5

Ajax U17s

25

26 + 6

RB Leipzig

14

0 + 3

Sunderland

10

2 + 1

Ajax Youth League

8

5 + 0

Sunderland U21s

1

1 + 0

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Further noted as being a “natural born killer” in front of goal by Kulig, Brobbey will be chomping at the bit to be thrown in for just his second Premier League start of the season.

A bolt from the blue strike from the Amsterdam-born menace could see him be instantly held in the same high esteem as Defoe before him.

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Posts ByDominic Lund 6 days ago

Are Chelsea outside challengers for the Premier League title this season?

Based on the weekend’s results, they are, as Enzo Maresca’s Blues comfortably got the better of Burnley 2-0 on the road to remain second spot in the early league standings, while Liverpool and Manchester City fell to unwanted defeats.

Maresca’s men managed to pick up that routine win, even with Moises Caicedo out of the starting lineup at Turf Moor, as Chelsea’s standout £115m midfielder was rested after a gruelling international break with Ecuador.

Thankfully, the defensive midfield partnership that did start in Lancashire in Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos rose to the occasion, with Santos stealing many of the plaudits at the full-time whistle, despite Fernandez’s late strike sealing all three points.

Santos' standout performance vs Burnley

Fernandez rightfully received plenty of praise at the final whistle, with the World Cup winner now up to 11 goals and ten assists in 2025 for the Blues as a forward-thinking midfield spark.

But, with Caicedo out of the starting XI, Chelsea also needed a talent prepared to dig deep and do the required defensive work that the South American does week in week out, with the 24-year-old averaging 5.2 ball recoveries and winning 5.4 duels per Premier League contest this season, away from also chipping in with three goals and an assist.

Thankfully, Santos stepped up into his role effortlessly against Scott Parker’s hosts, with two tackles won, seven duels won, and four ball recoveries amassed, showing off the 21-year-old’s full-blooded approach.

On top of that, Santos also ended the game with one big chance created from his 34 accurate passes, with analyst Raj Chohan even stating that he provides a “lot of value” to the team as a stellar stand-in option for the likes of Caicedo.

The promising number 17 will hope he can get more first-team minutes soon, away from being in the shadow of the ex-Brighton and Hove Albion man.

But, he isn’t the only midfield asset being directly compared to Caicedo now.

Chelsea's next Caicedo

It’s clear that Chelsea have great faith in the youngsters rising the ranks at Stamford Bridge currently, with Maresca prepared to start a whole plethora of exciting, young talents, away from just throwing Santos into the first-team spotlight.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Indeed, in attack, Estevao has been handed chances galore this season to impress, with a Premier League goal and assist coming the hotly tipped Brazilian’s way subsequently.

Moreover, Marc Guiu would gift Fernandez his goal at Turf Moor on a plate, with the 19-year-old now becoming a regular impact player off the bench. Could Dario Essugo be the next starlet to make a wild impression?

Already, the £18.5m summer purchase – despite only being 20 years of age – has shone in some challenging environments for two loan sides in Chaves and Las Palmas in Liga Portugal and La Liga respectively.

His attritional, yet polished displays, have even led to scout Jacek Kulig hailing the Portuguese enforcer as a “one-man army.”

Moreover, Kulig also boldly labelled Essugo as “one of the most exciting DMs in Europe” for his continued excellence with Las Palmas, even as they succumbed to relegation.

In the current Chelsea set-up, based on his numbers last season in that relegation-troubled camp, he would surely shine as bright as Caicedo has managed in West London.

Looking at the table above, it’s clear that Essugo will be prepared to battle and tussle for Chelsea when first-team chances eventually arrive at his door, winning 4.9 duels per game last season in La Liga action, not a million miles off Caicedo’s 5.4 tally this campaign back in England.

Unfortunately, the only drawback for Essugo so far is that he is sidelined with a nasty injury at the moment, but he did shine briefly in Caicedo’s place against AC Milan in pre-season, with 100% of his ground duels won from just 17 minutes of action.

Thankfully, Maresca has Santos to fall back on in defensive midfield for the time being, if Caicedo continues to look fatigued.

But, do not rule out Essugo exploding onto the scene when he returns from the treatment room, with Chelsea’s midfield options full to the brim with quality.

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By
Ben Gray

Nov 22, 2025

When the Baltimore Orioles open their season Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays, they will miss the presence of their budding superstar.

Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson will begin the season on the 10-day injured list, general manager Mike Elias told reporters Sunday morning. Henderson, 23, has been battling an intercostal strain this spring training; he's taken just six at-bats in exhibition play, with one hit to his name.

In 2024, Henderson was one of the best players in baseball. He slashed .281/.364/.529 with 37 home runs and 92 RBIs, finishing fourth in the American League MVP voting; that followed an eight-place finish as a rookie in 2023.

Elias suggested Henderson won't miss much time—a relief for a team seemingly set to partake in a competitive AL East race.

Baltimore went 91-71 in '24, regressing from a 101-61 mark in '23. It was swept out of the postseason both years, and still hasn't won a playoff game since reaching the ALCS in 2014.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras recebe o América-MG nesta noite de quarta-feira (29), no Allianz Parque, lutando por uma vitória para dar um importante passo rumo ao título brasileiro de 2023.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras

Coincidentemente, o Verdão encara o Coelho pela 36ª rodada do Brasileirão na ponta da tabela, cenário igual ao vivido em 2018, ano em que o clube conquistou o seu segundo Brasileirão de pontos corridos.

Outra semelhança é que naquele ano, o Flamengo também era o vice-líder que estava na cola pra tentar tomar o título das mãos do Palmeiras, porém com uma grande diferença desse ano: a distância entre os dois times naquela etapa do campeonato era de cinco pontos, cenário bem diferente do vivido hoje, onde os dois times dividem a ponta da tabela, mas o alviverde fica na frente por conta do sald de gols.

continua após a publicidade

Em 2018, o time de Felipão até que sofreu no primeiro tempo contra o América-MG que ainda lutava para escapar do rebaixamento, mas liderado por Dudu, o Verdão deslanchou na segunda etapa e acabou goleando o time mineiro por 4 a 0.

O 10º título brasileiro do Palmeiras seria confirmado na rodada seguinte, quando a equipe bateu o Vasco por 1 a 0 em São Januário.

Hoje, no mesmo Allianz Parque, o Palmeiras não pode pensar em perder pontos se não quiser ver a liderança escapar de suas mãos faltando duas rodadas para o término do campeonato.

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Com o Coelho já rebaixado para a segunda divisão em 2024, todo cuidado é pouco e todos os ingressos para a partida já foram vendidos.

➡️ Confira a classificação do Campeonato Brasileiro

A bola rola para Palmeiras x América-MG nesta quarta-feira (29), a partir das 21h30 (horário de Brasília), e você poderá assistir o jogo na Rede Globo ou pelo Premiere FC.

N Jagadeesan, the Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper, has earned a maiden Test call up ahead of India’s fifth and final Test against England starting on Thursday at The Oval.He replaced Rishabh Pant, who fractured his right foot while batting in the first innings in just-concluded Old Trafford Test.Jagadeesan, 29, is understood to have received his visa early on Sunday morning and will link up with the squad in London by Tuesday. He will be a back-up for Dhruv Jurel, who kept wicket in both the third and fourth Tests as a substitute to cover for Pant’s injuries – in the third Test, Pant had a finger injury.Related

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Jagadeesan has been on the fringes of the India A setup for a while. He has topped the run charts for Tamil Nadu two seasons back-to-back in the Ranji Trophy. In 2023-24, he made 816 runs in 13 innings at 74.18. He followed that with 674 runs in 13 innings at 56.16 in 2024-25.While Jagadeesan didn’t make the India A cut for the shadow tour to England, he’s been part of a wider pool of targeted players shortlisted by the BCCI’s centre of excellence over the past 12 months. As a batter, he’s also shown adaptability to play in different batting positions.He has built a formidable domestic record since making his first-class debut in 2016. He averages 47.50 and has aggregated 3373 runs in 79 innings, with ten hundreds and 14 half-centuries, with a best of 321 against Chandigarh in January 2024.Jagadeesan was most recently in action earlier this month for Chepauk Super Gillies in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, hitting a 41-ball 81 in his last T20 innings on July 4. This will be Jagadeesan’s second tour of the UK, after having earlier led a Tamil Nadu Colts team last year.

Liverpool saw off Southampton at Anfield to advance to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, and it was all rather pedestrian until Hugo Ekitike’s hot-and-cold second-half appearance, scoring the winner and seeing the referee’s red glare after his shirtless celebration.

Alexander Isak, signed from Newcastle United for a British record £125m fee on transfer deadline day, made his second start at Anfield and got off the mark after coolly converting before the break, but defensive disaster gave Saints a route back in during the second half.

And then Ekitike came alive, tapping the impressive Federico Chiesa’s cross-box pass into an empty net after a bright and lively showing, only to get himself sent off

He will miss the forthcoming Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.

Ekitike's performance vs Southampton

It’s been quite the start to life in Liverpool for Ekitike, arriving in July for an initial £69m fee and getting up to speed against the backdrop of the Reds’ high-profile bid for Isak, raging through August.

The Frenchman has only used the competition to spur him on, with his 85th-minute winner against Southampton the fifth goal of his Liverpool career, eight games in. He also has one assist.

However, the hype train has been paused after a moment of madness, getting sent off after converting the winner.

He won’t be present when Liverpool travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday, but as journalist Bence Bocsak put it, it’s “been an incredible start” for the 23-year-old, who is very much proving his worth in an internal tussle with Isak for the ascendancy.

However, Arne Slot will be frustrated by more than just his striker’s dismissal, with a number of Redmen leaving something to be desired.

And Jeremie Frimpong was at the epicentre, surely now facing a fresh battle for a regular starting berth at right-back after a poor effort in the Carabao Cup.

Slot must drop Jeremie Frimpong

Frimpong was among the wave of recruits this summer; in fact, he was the first to walk through the Anfield gates, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for just under £30m.

Injury has disrupted his start to life as a senior in England, his only Premier League start coming in the season opener against Bournemouth. The Dutchman will be gunning for another, but it’s unlikely to come against Palace after an unconvincing display against Championship opposition.

The Liverpool Echo gave Frimpong a 5/10 match rating and criticised his ‘off-night’, lacking fluency on the ball and struggling to contain the bustling Ryan Manning. Conor Bradley was introduced after the break, and Frimpong advanced to an attacking role on the right flank.

The 24-year-old’s defensive contribution was lacking, and he struggled to take the handbrake off and unleash his athletic, high-speed style of play.

Minutes played

90′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

61

Accurate passes

33/39 (85%)

Key passes

0

Crosses

0/4

Possession lost

15x

Dribbles

0/0

Tackles

0

Interceptions

0

Duels won

1/5

Bradley will hope to return to the starting line-up, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Dominik Szoboszlai returning to his moonlit role out wide, having plyed his craft industriously and effectively so far this season.

In any case, all this competition is only a good thing for Slot’s side, who still haven’t hit their stride and yet are firing on all cylinders. Onto the next.

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ByAngus Sinclair Sep 22, 2025

Tottenham are making plans to sign a new striker in 2026 amid concerns surrounding Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, with the Lewis family’s recent £100 million cash injection potentially about to be reinvested into the transfer market.

Tottenham dealt Solanke and Richarlison worries as new striker targeted

Solanke is expected back soon after undergoing minor surgery on an ankle problem, but the England international’s goalscoring proficiency has been marred by fitness issues since his club-record £65 million move from Bournemouth last year.

Tottenham’s most expensive signings of all time

Rank

Player

Fee

Signed from

Year

1

Dominic Solanke

£65m

Bournemouth

2024

2

Tanguy Ndombele

£62.8m

Lyon

2019

3

Richarlison

£60m

Everton

2022

4

Xavi Simons

£52m

RB Leipzig

2025

5

Brennan Johnson

£47.5m

Nottingham Forest

2023

See the rest here…

The striker missed over 12 games last season with a combination of thigh, knee and ankle issues, with Solanke already sitting out eight matches this term and hasn’t managed to play more than 20 minutes in a single one of his appearances under Thomas Frank.

Understandably, some supporters have grown slightly frustrated by Solanke’s lack of availability, even if he finished 24/25 as their second-top scorer in all competitions behind Brennan Johnson with 16 goals.

Richarlison, meanwhile, got off to a flying start this season with a brace against Burnley on the opening Premier League weekend, including a sensational bicycle kick and early goal of the season contender, but the Brazilian has largely failed to convince on-lookers since then.

Taking this into account, Spurs CEO Vinai Venkatesham and the new-look Lilywhites board have already been linked with a few intriguing centre-forward targets.

Frank has reportedly reached out to Ivan Toney over a potential loan move to Tottenham in January, coming after the Englishman dazzled under him at Brentford with 20 Premier League goals in 2022/2023.

As Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic’s contract ticks down towards expiry next summer, Spurs have also been touted with a swoop for the Serbian.

Vlahovic could replace Kolo Muani after Tottenham approach made

Reports suggest that Vlahovic’s camp have spoken to Tottenham as they reach out to various suitors, and Italian news outlet Sport Quotidiano now have an update on the 25-year-old’s situation.

They claim that Tottenham have “tested the waters” for Vlahovic, suggesting an approach has been made, and the ex-Fiorentina star could even replace summer signing Randal Kolo Muani, who’s only on a dry loan from PSG and yet to establish himself due to injury.

Quotidiano adds that Vlahovic, who they claim earns around £202,000-per-week, is “increasingly likely” to depart Turin with no fresh terms in sight.

The international hitman is poised to become one of next year’s most in-demand free agents at the very least, if Juve don’t opt to sell him for a cheap fee in the winter.

The number nine boasts a fairly impressive track record, consistently finding the back of the net in Serie A with Fiorentina and Juventus — scoring at least 14 goals in every season since his breakthrough campaign at La Viola in 2020/2021.

Tottenham have struggled at times to convert chances, lacking a reliable, clinical finisher to lead the line amid Solanke and Richarlison’s problems.

Vlahovic’s attacking record in one of Europe’s toughest leagues speaks volumes, and his physical presence adds another dimension too.

Signing him for free or at a cut-price in January would be an arguable coup when factoring in the long-standing interest in him from Premier League clubs, but his wages could be a sticking point, as Vlahovic’s current terms would make him Tottenham’s highest-paid player.

Islamabad United and Multan Sultans have both had players become unavailable, with Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Short and West Indies’ spinner Gudakesh Motie ruled out of PSL 2025. Irish allrounder Curtis Campher replaces Motie for the Sultans, while United have not yet announced a replacement.Short arrived in Pakistan at the start of the PSL nursing an injury he never quite recovered from. A statement from United said he had shown “encouraging signs of recovery” but felt discomfort during training sessions.Related

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Though the franchise, in collaboration with Cricket Australia’s medical staff, attempted to get him back to full fitness, the franchise said a “joint decision” to send Short back to Australia to continue his rehabilitation was made “in the best interest of the player’s long-term fitness and career”.United have enjoyed a perfect start to the tournament, winning each of their first four games so far and sit at the top of the table.”Islamabad United remain fully committed to the well-being of all our players and extend our support to Matt during his recovery,” the statement said. “We thank him for his professionalism and positive presence in the camp and wish him a swift and complete recovery.”Sultans said Motie had returned to Guyana “to attend to a domestic matter”. ESPNcricinfo understands his father has been taken ill, and the Sultans remain hopeful he will be able to return to the tournament at some point. Motie did not play any of the Sultans’ first three matches – all of which the side lost. Sultans will look to turn their season around at home, with the PSL shifting to Multan, where Mohammad Rizwan’s side play their next two matches against Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United.