Hales prefers ‘lucrative’ PSL contract over national duty

Islamabad United opener will miss tour of Bangladesh

By Web Desk
January 31, 2023
Hales recently made a comeback in the England team — PCB

England opener Alex Hales has decided to participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight, according to The Telegraph, instead of joining his national side for the tour of Bangladesh.

England will face Bangladesh in three T20s and as many ODIs, with the series being played from March 1-14. However, England’s tour will clash the PSL which is slated to take place form February 13- March 19.

According to the report, Hales will “honour a lucrative £145,000 contract” while playing for two-time champions Islamabad United.

“To leave a portion of the PSL and represent England in Bangladesh, Hales would lose a significant sum of money, with England match fees for players without national contracts — in the region of £5,000 and £2,500 for ODIs and T20Is — worth considerably less than franchise payments,” the report added.

It must be noted that the England opener made a comeback in the national side for the first time since 2019 during the T20 World Cup win in Australia in November last year. He scored 186 runs in England’s last four games, including an unbeaten 86 during the 10-wicket semi-final victory over India.

“Hales remains firmly in the national team’s plans going forward. England are highly understanding of the situation and have not put pressure on Hales. Indeed, the national team have become increasingly aware that the franchise circuit now pays more, with a series of cricketers who would have been picked for the Lions — the national second-string — this winter not selected so that they could play in franchise leagues instead,” the report stated.

The opening ceremony of PSL 8 will be held in Multan on February 13 prior to the tournament opener between 2021 winners Multan Sultans and defending champions Lahore Qalandars; meanwhile the closing ceremony and final will be played on March 19 in Lahore, which will also host play-offs.

Lahore Qalandars will attempt to become the first side to win back-to-back titles; meanwhile Islamabad United will aim to become the most successful side by lifting the trophy thrice.

Rawalpindi will stage 11 fixtures, Karachi and Lahore will host nine matches each, whereas Multan will have five home games.

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