Australia's star Matthew Short has now been officially ruled out of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 due to injury. Matthew Short was contracted to play for the Islamabad United franchise, but the persistent impact of a quad injury he sustained during the recent Champions Trophy 2025 has rendered him unable to participate in the T20 league. Reports confirm Matthew Short's withdrawal from the tournament. Islamabad United had acquired the explosive T20 batsman for a whopping sum of $220,000, recognising his impressive performances in Big Bash League (BBL) season 14. His dynamic batting style was anticipated to be a valuable asset in the PSL competition.
Matthew Short out of PSL 2025
Matthew Short, who also played for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2023, has been grappling with injury issues since the conclusion of the Champions Trophy 2025. He initially suffered a quad injury while representing Australia in their match against Afghanistan during the tournament. Despite opening the innings with Travis Head, Short was visibly hampered by the injury, experiencing noticeable discomfort and limitations in his movement between the wickets.
The quad injury sustained during the Champions Trophy proved severe enough to force Matthew Short to retire hurt during the match against Afghanistan after scoring 20 runs off 15 deliveries. Following the game, Australia's captain, Steven Smith, indicated that Short was unlikely to recover in time to participate in the semi-final, raising concerns about his immediate availability for future matches.
This came as a big setback for Islamabad United franchise in the upcoming PSL 2025. The team had been relying on Short's capabilities to bolster their batting order and provide valuable depth to their lineup, making his absence a significant loss in their strategic planning for the tournament. Matthew Short has established a reputation in the T20 format for his aggressive batting approach and his handy contributions with the ball. Boasting a T20 strike rate nearing 150 and having played several impactful innings in leagues such as the Big Bash League (BBL) and the Indian Premier League (IPL), Short has demonstrated his value in the shortest format of the game.
In his IPL career, Short has featured in 6 matches, accumulating 117 runs at an average of 19.50 and a strike rate of 127.17. He has also proven to be a useful bowler when called upon. His dynamic playing style and prior experience in prominent T20 leagues would have made him a key addition to the Islamabad United squad.
Islamabad United has displayed impressive form in the early stages of the PSL 2025 season. Under the leadership of captain Shadab Khan, the team has achieved a perfect record, winning all three of their matches played so far, which has propelled them to the top of the league's points table. Looking ahead, Islamabad United will aim to maintain their strong momentum throughout the tournament.