In a setback for Islamabad United, star batsman Alex Hales will be conspicuously absent from their upcoming match against Peshawar Zalmi on February 26 in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL 2024) 2024. Hales, having flown back to England, leaves a notable gap in the United’s lineup. However, there’s a glimmer of hope for fans as he is anticipated to make a swift return, likely landing in Karachi to rejoin the squad for their subsequent fixtures.
The absence of Hales comes at a critical juncture for Islamabad United, who have had a mixed start to their PSL campaign. Despite securing a victory in their opener against Lahore Qalandars, they faltered against Quetta Gladiators and Multan Sultans.
The match against Gladiators was particularly contentious, marred by a controversial LBW decision involving Rilee Rossouw. Initially attributed to a technical glitch, subsequent investigations revealed human error, drawing attention to the fallibility of technology in the sport.
Hales’ contributions to Islamabad United have been noteworthy, with scores of 21, 2, and 36 runs in the three games thus far, including a crucial knock against Lahore Qalandars. Despite their inconsistent performances, Islamabad United currently hold the third position on the table, courtesy of a better net run rate (NRR) of 0.028, earning them two points.
Their narrow defeat to Quetta Gladiators, by a mere five runs, prevented their NRR from dipping into negative territory, highlighting the fine margins that define success in the PSL. As the tournament progresses, United will be eager to regain momentum and capitalize on Hales’ imminent return to bolster their campaign.
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