Alex Hales: Half-century on return is a dream come true

Coming back into the national side after a three-and-a-half-year absence, Hales scored 53 runs off 40 balls to help England to a six-wicket win against Pakistan

Alex Hales has labelled scoring a half-century on his return to the England side "a dream come true".

The 32-year-old made 60 T20I appearances for the national side between 2011 and 2019 before various indiscretions resulted in a three-and-a-half-year absence from international cricket.

He was only brought back into the fold following a season-ending injury to Jonny Bairstow but marked his return in style, scoring 53 runs off 40 balls - including sharing a crucial 55-run fourth-wicket partnership with Harry Brook - to help England to a six-wicket win against Pakistan in Karachi.

England lead the seven-match T20I series 1-0.

^{Hales in action in Karachi [Alex Davidson/Getty Images]}

"It was a very special feeling to be back on the park for England," Hales told Sky Sports after the match. "Three years felt like forever. To go out and score 50 on my return in a winning team is the stuff dreams are made of.

"It is a nice feeling. Guys said in the past it was never down to cricket, missing the three years, that was never in doubt. But there was always nerves and pressure coming back after three years. It felt like a debut again, so it was a very special night.

"It just feels like a dream come true to contribute with a half-century in a winning team in a country where I have a lot of good, special memories."

Hales has a close connection to Karachi, scoring 272 runs at 45.33 in seven innings for PSL franchise Karachi Kings and also playing in the city for Islamabad United: "This is a place where I've spent a lot of time over the last few years, it's a place that means a lot to me.

"I've played in front of full houses in Karachi and it's something different. It's one of the best atmospheres in world cricket. Karachi put on a show tonight."

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