Alex Hales, an England batsman is returning to Pakistan and will rejoin Islamabad United for the remaining matches of HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) season seven.
The 33-year-old returned to England last week and pulled out of the tournament due to bubble fatigue but now the franchise has confirmed that he will now be available for selection in the remaining games.
Alex Hales’ Inclusion Will Provide A Boost For Islamabad United
Alex Hales will not undergo three-day isolation after arriving in Lahore as he had tested positive at the end of the Big Bash League (BBL) and doesn’t need to quarantine himself.
Islamabad United has been marred with injuries and Alex Hales’ inclusion in the side will provide a boost in the all-important Eliminator 1 against Peshawar Zalmi tomorrow. He had left the PSL just over a week ago, citing bubble fatigue as the main reason for his withdrawal.
Alex Hales smashed an unbeaten 82 as United defeated Peshawar Zalmi by nine wickets in their first game at the National Stadium in Karachi. He made 62 off 38 balls against Quetta Gladiators, smashing four boundaries and four sixes at the strike rate of 163.15.
Islamabad United is due to take on Peshawar Zalmi in the first eliminator at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, a game Alex Hales is now expected to be available for. His return will be a massive boost to the two-time champions, who have been hit especially hard by injuries and absences this season.
So far Alex Hales has managed to score 1644 runs in T20Is at a strike rate of 136.65. Alex Hales was axed from England’s (eventual winners) 50-over World Cup squad in 2019 for failing a second test for use of recreational drugs. He continues to hold the record for the highest T20I score by an England player – 116 not out against Sri Lanka in the 2014 World T20.
The 31-year-old Alex Hales made his international debut in August 2011 in T20I cricket. He has played 11 Tests, 70 ODIs, and 60 T20Is for England. He was not picked by any of the franchises during the first round of IPL 2022. Nevertheless, he eventually got backed by the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise and they sealed an amazing deal. The franchise bought Alex Hales for 1.5 Crore.
Shadab Khan Not Confirmed To Play Against Peshawar Zalmi In First Eliminator
Meanwhile, it is unconfirmed whether Shadab Khan will play the match tomorrow while the franchise has also not revealed the injury status of Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, and Colin Munro. Alex Hales was in sublime form for United and is also their leading run-scorer in the competition. In seven innings, he has scored 255 at an average of 42.50.
Islamabad United will also miss the services of Ireland batter Paul Stirling and Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz as both of them have departed from Pakistan for national duties for their respective teams.