Incredible talent on show at PSL, says Watson

Quetta Gladiators all-rounder happy to be part of ‘a very tough tournament’

Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Quetta Gladiator’s all-rounder Shane Watson has praised the T20 tournament for maintaining high standards of cricket.

Watson, who played the first two seasons with Islamabad United but was picked by Quetta for the third, believes the talent at show in all the editions was remarkable.

“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the PSL is a very tough tournament and the quality of the players involved in the tournament is brilliant too,” he told PakPassion. “There is incredible talent on show from the local Pakistani players. As we have seen, every team has high-quality fast-bowlers with some brilliant spin options which have always been a feature of Pakistan cricket as well. Then there is amazing firepower among some very talented Pakistan batters as well.”

The 36-year-old revealed that the foreign players have to be on their toes to perform in the PSL.

“We also have some outstanding foreign players in the PSL who really need to be on top of their game if they wish to perform in this tournament which in itself is a great challenge for them,” he said.

On participation in PSL

Watson is one of the few players alongside Kevin Pietersen, Darren Sammy and Ravi Bopara, who have played in three editions of the PSL and, the Australian thinks all the big names in international cricket are attracted by the quality of cricket and management.

“I have no doubt that the PSL is already one of the best leagues in the world,” said Watson. “We are in the third year of the tournament and you can also tell how much it is appreciated by simply looking at the calibre and quality of the overseas players who are playing in it. If the quality of the tournament was suspect, then the quality of players we have here would not have come over from overseas and played in it.”

Watson continued by calling PSL a challenging tournament where you have to get to play and see high-quality cricket.

“It is also an incredibly well-run tournament and the quality of cricket being played here is very tough,” said the Australian. “That, in turn, is an excellent thing not just for the players as they are challenged to perform against other top-quality players, but it's also an amazing experience for all those watching this tournament as they get to see some high-quality cricket as well.”

On coming to Karachi for final

PSL3 has scheduled its landmark final in Karachi this year and most of the players have given an affirmative nod to the decision but Watson says he is still undecided.

“At this point in time, the most important objective is for all of us to help Quetta Gladiators qualify for the eliminators and then on to the final of the tournament,” he said. “At this point in time, I am still undecided.”