Islamabad United’s preparations for their upcoming clash against Peshawar Zalmi have been disrupted by the absence of star opener Alex Hales. The English batsman will miss the match due to a prior personal commitment, leaving a void at the top of the batting order.
While his absence is a setback, there’s positive news for United fans. Hales is expected to make a quick return and be available for all remaining matches starting from the second leg of the tournament in Karachi. This swift return will be crucial for United’s ambitions as they aim to climb the points table and challenge for the PSL 9 title.
Despite the temporary absence of Hales, Islamabad United remains a strong contender with a well-rounded squad. They currently sit comfortably in third place, having secured one victory from their opening three matches. The team boasts a blend of experienced campaigners and exciting young talents, including:
Shadab Khan (c), Naseem Shah, Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Rumman Raees, Tymal Mills, Matthew Forde, Shahab Khan, Hunain Shah, Ubaid Shah, Shamyl Hussain, Jordan Cox, Salman Agha, Qasim Akram, Haider Ali, Obed McCoy, Martin Guptill.
PSL 9: A Tournament of Thrills and Spills
The excitement doesn’t stop with this development. PSL 9 continues to enthrall fans across Pakistan, with matches being played in four vibrant cities: Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi. The tournament culminates in a grand finale at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on March 18th, with six teams vying for glory in a total of 34 T20 matches.
The unique two-leg format ensures cricketing fever reaches every corner of the country. The first leg, currently underway, sees Multan and Lahore hosting matches until February 27th. The action then shifts to Rawalpindi and Karachi from February 28th to March 12th, offering fans 16 electrifying encounters.
Islamabad United, along with the other teams, will be aiming to make their mark in the remaining matches and create lasting memories for fans as PSL 9 reaches its thrilling conclusion.
