Alex Hales Withdraws from Islamabad United Ahead of PSL 9 Qualifier 2

LAHORE: A significant blow has been dealt to Islamabad United as their star English batter, Alex Hales, has decided to pull out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 ahead of Qualifier 2, which is slated for May 23 at Gaddafi Stadium.

Hales communicated his decision through an Instagram post, conveying his support to the franchise for the remainder of the competition. He also expressed his appreciation for the chance to rejoin the Islamabad United team.

Sources indicate that the experienced opening batsman participated in only a pair of PSL 10 matches before heading back to England due to pressing personal matters.

The 36-year-old made a noteworthy contribution in his initial PSL 10 appearance on May 19 against Karachi Kings, delivering a rapid 88 runs from just 35 balls.

His powerful innings included six fours and eight impressive sixes, achieving a strike rate of 251.42. Islamabad United achieved a substantial 251-5 score in that particular match.

However, in Qualifier 1 against Quetta Gladiators, Hales was dismissed for a duck on his second ball while the team was pursuing a target of 210.

Islamabad United was eventually bowled out for 179, allowing Quetta to secure a place in the PSL 10 final.

For context, Islamabad United is now set to compete against the victor of the Eliminator match between Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars in Qualifier 2 for an opportunity to advance to the final, scheduled in Lahore on May 25.

Islamabad United squad for PSL 10: Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah, Azam Khan, Imad Wasim and Jason Holder, Haider Ali, Salman Ali Agha and Ben Dwarshuis, Colin Munro, Rumman Raees, Andries Gous, Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Irshad, Hunain Shah and Saad Masood , Kyle Mayers, Mohammad Faiq, Sahibzada Farhan, Muhammad Shahzad and Riley Meredith.