Hales departs Islamabad United ahead of Qualifier 2

By Our Correspondent
May 23, 2025
Alex Hales (R) and teammate Rassie van der Dussen run between the wickets during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) T20 cricket match between Islamabad United and Karachi Kings at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, in Rawalpindi on March 3, 2023. — AFP
Alex Hales (R) and teammate Rassie van der Dussen run between the wickets during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) T20 cricket match between Islamabad United and Karachi Kings at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, in Rawalpindi on March 3, 2023. — AFP

LAHORE: Islamabad United suffered a setback ahead of Qualifier 2 as star English opener Alex Hales opted out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 playoffs due to personal commitments, leaving the team without his explosive batting firepower.

Hales confirmed his departure via Instagram, extending his best wishes to the United squad for the remainder of the tournament and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to return to the franchise.

The 36-year-old featured in only two PSL 10 matches, but made a massive impact, delivering a blistering 88 off 35 balls against Karachi Kings on May 19, featuring six boundaries and eight towering sixes at a strike rate of 251.42.

His contribution helped Islamabad United post 251-5, marking one of the most dominant batting displays of the tournament. However, in Qualifier 1 against Quetta Gladiators, Hales fell for a second-ball duck while chasing 210, and Islamabad United ultimately suffered a 30-run defeat, allowing Quetta Gladiators to advance to their first PSL final in six years.