Watson hopes Quetta will become champs

KARACHI: Former Australia all-rounder and World Cup winner Shane Watson is an excited man, having guided his Quetta Gladiators to the final of the HBL Pakistan Super League and hopes the elusive title comes their way.

Watson smashed a cracking 71 with five boundaries and half a dozen sixes off just 43 balls to steer his team to an imposing 186 for six before he defended 21 in the last over to give his team a 10-run win over arch-rivals Peshawar Zalmi in the Qualifier on Wednesday.

“It is really exciting,” said Watson. “That was something you had wished before the start of the tournament, you always wanted to get through to the final and give yourself a chance of winning the title.”

Quetta have been on the losing side in the final twice, losing to Islamabad United in 2016 and to Peshawar in 2017.

Watson said the group of players was skillful and that made the final spot possible.

“For me, it’s no surprise that we have been able to make it to the final because we have some match-winners in the team,” said Watson, who leads the run-chart with 423 runs in 11 matches.

Umar Akmal (277), Rilee Rossouw (256 in 11 matches) and Ahmed Shehzad (253 in seven matches) are the other batsmen who are supporting the batting.

Watson, who had not bowled since last year’s IPL in India, said the decision to bowl the last over came off well.

“I think it was more Sarfaraz’s decision than mine,” said Watson of the last over. “I have not bowled for a few months. I had strained my calf and that was reason I was not bowling and concentrating on my batting towards the end of my career.

“It worked up very well. You don’t have such nights when things go your way. Sohail Tanvir and Dwayne Bravo bowled well and it came down to me. It worked out well, but I am not sure that I will bowl another over again.”

Watson admitted he was a bit confused at the start. “My strategy was what run-up I am gonna use. I had not marked up my run-up and I had a minute to warm up.”