England pulled out of tour against Pakistan in September last year due to security reasons.
Out of favor England batter, Alex Hales said that the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) decision of pulling out of their tour to Pakistan last year made zero sense to him.
England was scheduled to tour Pakistan for two T20Is in October 2021. Apart from the men's team, the England women's team was also slated to make their maiden tour to Pakistan.
However as New Zealand pulled out of their tour to Pakistan, citing security reasons, the ECB also canceled its tour citing security concerns for their players. They received a lot of flak for their decision as many felt that it was a senseless call by ECB.
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Speaking to Geo TV, Alex Hales, who is playing for Islamabad United in ongoing PSL 2022, said that ECB’s decision to cancel tour of Pakistan last year made no sense as it was only a short tour with a few T20s.
He remarked that Pakistan helped ECB massively during COVID times by touring England and cancelling tour to the Asian nation made zero sense to him.
“That decision to cancel that tour made absolutely no sense. Especially after Pakistan came to England during COVID and helped out the ECB massively. So for them to cancel that tour made absolutely zero sense to me. It was only a short tour, only a few T20s so it made no sense,” Alex Hales.
England is now slated to visit Pakistan twice later this year. Both teams will play a seven-match T20I series, ahead of the T20 World Cup 2022 in October. Later in November-December, the two sides will clash in a three-Test series in Pakistan, for the first time since 2005.
Hales said that he has been to Pakistan five times and was looked after really well. He added that the people in the country are very hospitable and it’s a great place to play cricket and is safe.
“I've been here four or five times now and get looked after really well. Every time we come here, the people are very hospitable and cricket is always really good. The fans here are crazy for it. So, it's a great place to come and play cricket, I absolutely feel safe,” he said.
Alex Hales further said that he’s enjoying his cricket a lot more now and being in his 30s he feels he has matured over the years and is playing is the best standard of cricket he has played in life.
He added that his stats are right up there with the best in the world and he’s hopeful for England call-up.
"I'm just enjoying my cricket a lot more now. I'm into my 30s now so I guess I've matured over the last few years away from the game. I feel like I'm playing the best standard of cricket I (have) played in my life and hopefully, I can keep up for the next few years. I think my stats are right up there with the best in the world. So, you know, hopefully, that chance comes around again,” he said.
Notably, Alex Hales has been one of the best openers in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The right-hander averages over 44 in the tournament. He has won the title once with Karachi Kings and is currently part of Islamabad United in ongoing PSL 7.
(PTI inputs)