Australian player quits PSL 2025 on opening day to play domestic cricket

Just hours before kicking off their title defense in the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2025), Islamabad United was hit with a surprise setback as the Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey has officially withdrawn from the tournament at the last minute.

Alex Carey was initially signed up by the Islamabad United as a partial replacement for South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen for the upcoming Pakistan Super League 2025. However, the Australian wicketkeeper-batter has opted to skip Pakistan Super League 10 due to his domestic cricket commitments back home.

Alex Carey withdraws from PSL 2025 hours before Islamabad United's season opener

The Pakistan Super League franchise Islamabad United has confirmed the news on Friday, April 11, before their opening match against Lahore Qalandars at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. While Carey’s absence is a blow, Islamabad United fans can breathe a little easier as the team has also confirmed Rassie van der Dussen’s return to the squad.

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The 10th season of the Pakistan Super League features six teams battling it out across 34 exciting matches from April 11 to May 18.

Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will be the main venue this season, hosting 13 matches, including both Eliminators and the grand Finale. Rawalpindi will host 11 games, including the all-important first Qualifier on May 13. Meanwhile, Karachi and Multan will each stage five matches.

Rassie van der Dussen to available for the PSL 2025

Fans will enjoy three doubleheaders—two falling on Saturdays and one on May 1, Labor Day. Islamabad United's squad has top names like Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Azam Khan, Imad Wasim, Jason Holder, Matthew Short, and Colin Munro.

With Rassie van der Dussen back and the likes of Sam Billings, Mohammad Nawaz, and Riley Meredith in the mix, the defending champions still look strong despite Alex Carey pulling out of the tournament to defend their title.

On the other hand, Lahore Qalandars had a rough time in the last season of the Pakistan Super League. Coming in as two-time defending champions, they were expected to do well, but things didn’t go their way. The Lahore Qalandars team, led by Shaheen Afridi, struggled throughout the tournament and managed to win just one match out of ten in the PSL 2024.

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Lahore Qalandars look for strong start in the Pakistan Super League 2025

They ended up at the bottom of the table, which was a big shock for fans. Now, the Qalandars are hoping to bounce back strong in the upcoming PSL 2025. With key players like Fakhar Zaman, Sikandar Raza, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Afridi still in the squad, they have enough firepower to aim for a third title and make a strong comeback in the tournament.

Apart from Fakhar, Afridi, and Rauf, the defending champions have Kusal Perera, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings, Asif Ali, Mohammad Naeem, Zaman Khan, David Wiese, Sikandar Raza, Tom Curran, Abdullah Shafique, and Rishad Hossain among other top players at their ranks.

Notably, Indian fans can enjoy the PSL 2025 match between Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars on television on Sony Sports Network in India. Fans can also watch the match online through the SonyLIV app and website. This game will be available for live streaming on the FanCode app.