Pakistan vs England: Three years felt like forever, says Alex Hales after scoring fifty on return

England opener Alex Hales made a half century on his return to international cricket. The England batter said that it felt like a debut for him when he came out to bat against Pakistan.

England opener Alex Hales returned in national colours after three and a half years and has successfully stamped his authority in the T20I squad by hitting a match-winning half century against Pakistan. Playing in Karachi on Tuesday, Hales guided England to a win by scoring an anchor's fifty on return. The batter, at the time of getting out had amassed 53 runs off 40 balls, setting the stage for Harry Brook to come in and hit Pakistan out of the park.

The batter admitted to being nervous at the time of coming out to bat but said it was special to wear the England jersey again.

"It was a very special feeling to be back on the park for England," Hales said after the game.

"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," the batter further added.

The English batter has travelled across the world during his ban and scored a truckload of runs in all conditions. Hales was banned in 2019 over the use of recreational drugs and had a falling out with then captain, Eoin Morgan. The position on Hales softened after the retirement of Morgan after new white ball captain Jos Buttler endorsed the quality of the player.

"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 having not played. It felt like a debut again, so it was a very special night," Hales concluded.