Bowling standard in PSL higher than other leagues: Watson

KARACHI: Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson believes bowling standard in the HBL Pakistan Super League makes the tournament stand out among the T20 leagues in the world.

And he hopes the quality of matches will be even higher when the event resumes in Karachi from Saturday (tomorrow).

The 37-year-old, playing for Quetta Gladiators, will be star attraction in the final leg of HBL PSL.

Watson’s absence hurt the Gladiators in matches held in Pakistan in the last two editions.

“I think PSL is a great tournament. The thing that stands out for me is the bowling compared to all other tournaments I have played in. The challenge will be more when the matches are played in Karachi,” said Watson, who became the second batsmen to score 1,000 runs in HBL PSL.

He has so far scored 1,016 in 34 matches. Kamran Akmal is at the top with 1,083 runs in 43 matches.

A veteran of 59 Tests, 190 ODIs and 58 T20Is, Watson praised PSL bowlers, who are hitting 150kph mark. “There are, at least, one or two fast bowlers in every team who are bowling close to 150kph, which only happens in one or two teams in other leagues. So, that for me is a huge stand-out and signs of strength of Pakistan cricket. They have always produced some high quality fast bowlers,” said Watson.

He said he expected people to turn up in great numbers to make the last leg successful. “I am sure that everyone will turn out in their droves to support not just the Quetta Gladiators but also the PSL. It’s a great tournament and I can’t wait to get there,” said Watson.

He recalled his only tour to Pakistan with Australia ‘A’ in 2005. “I have been to Pakistan for Australia ‘A’ in 2005. I had a great time and it was a high quality Pakistan ‘A’ team that we played against. We played in Islamabad and Lahore, so it was a great tour,” he added.

Watson singled-out Rumman Raees and Mohammad Hasnain as real talent emerging from the HBL PSL.

“One person that stands out for me in the Islamabad team is Rumman Raees,” said Watson of the left-arm paceman, who graduated from the first edition of the HBL PSL to play for Pakistan. “Rumman is a young fast bowler who can swing the ball both ways. He can change his pace well. This year we have Mohammad Hasnain (Quetta) who is someone who is incredibly fast and is raw, but has incredible skills for a young man. We are going to see a lot of him in the next few years to come,” the all-rounder said.