Islamabad United’s Aussie Star Backs Out of PSL X

Islamabad United announced that Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey will not participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) X due to his domestic commitments, while South African batter Rassie van der Dussen is set to rejoin the team soon.

Carey, 33, was named as a partial replacement for van der Dussen during a virtual replacement draft conducted on March 24. The decision followed van der Dussen’s temporary unavailability due to personal reasons, which had initially cast doubt on his participation in the early stages of PSL X.

However, Carey’s team, South Australia, qualified for the final of Australia’s domestic one-day competition, the Marsh One-Day Cup, scheduled to conflict with the PSL’s opening matches. As a result, Carey informed Islamabad United of his inability to join the squad in Pakistan.

Van der Dussen, 36, a linchpin in Islamabad United’s batting lineup, was a standout performer in PSL 9, scoring 364 runs in seven innings at an impressive average of 72.8, including three fifties. His return strengthens the defending champions as they kick off their campaign against Lahore Qalandars today at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The franchise expressed confidence in van der Dussen’s ability to anchor the top order and acknowledged Carey’s commitment to his domestic side.

PSL X features 34 matches across four cities—Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, and Karachi—with the final set for May 18 in Lahore. Islamabad United, with three titles, remains a top contender despite the roster changes.