AB de Villiers on Monday said he will not be travelling to Pakistan with the Lahore Qalandars due to a back injury.

South African batting legend De Villiers had earlier announced he will travel to Lahore to play two games of Pakistan leg of PSL 2019. But he will not travel to Pakistan after being advised rest following back injury.

“I am very disappointed that I will not be able to play in front of the passionate Pakistani cricket fans,” De Villiers said in a statement. “I saw my doctor who has advised complete rest for two weeks and, unfortunately, that rules me out of the games in Karachi. I hope to be a part of the HBL PSL next year and very much hope to play my part in the return of international cricket to the country. I am backing Lahore Qalandars to go all the way and win the trophy this year.”

Coincidentally, all Lahore matches of PSL 2019 had been shifted to Karachi on Sunday. Three of the eight matches slated to be held on Pakistan soil were to take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. However, owing to logistical and operations challenges brought on by the delayed re-opening of the Lahore airspace, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made the decision to hold all eight matches at the National Stadium in Karachi.