Watson set to play in Pakistan

Former Australia Test allrounder Shane Watson has confirmed he'll play in Pakistan for his Pakistan Super League franchise in a significant boost for the tournament.

Watson was one of numerous overseas stars who has not travelled to Pakistan in previous editions of the PSL, instead opting to only play in the league matches in the United Arab Emirates.

Initially, the 37-year-old had agreed to play in the UAE in this year's tournament too, but said he changed his mind.

"It has been a tough decision, more so from my family's point of view, and it all comes down to the support that my wife and my family has given me," Watson said in a statement Wednesday.

"I am very excited as it has been 14 years since I was in Pakistan last."

The 37-year-old has scored 332 runs in Pakistan's domestic Twenty20 competition while representing Quetta Gladiators, who have already qualified for the playoffs after winning seven of its nine games.

Watson last played in Pakistan as a 24-year-old on an Australia A tour, playing two first-class games and three one-dayers in Rawalpindi and Lahore against Pakistan A.

The Pakistan Cricket Board sees the PSL as a pathway to regain the confidence of foreign teams for the resumption of international cricket at home.

Karachi will host eight PSL matches because the PCB moved three matches from Lahore to the southern port city last Sunday after political and military tension between India and Pakistan.

In a blow for the PSL, Lahore Qalandars star AB de Villiers indicated a back injury was going to sideline him for the Pakistan-hosted games.

"I am very disappointed that I will not be able to play in front of the passionate Pakistani cricket fans," de Villiers said. "I saw my doctor who has advised complete rest for two weeks and, unfortunately, that rules me out of the games in Karachi.

"I hope to be a part of the PSL next year and very much hope to play my part in the return of international cricket to the country."

An armed attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team's bus in 2009 in Lahore saw Pakistan effectively suspended from hosting international matches, but a handful of teams have returned to play limited-overs series in recent years.

Australia haven't toured Pakistan since 1998, though Test captain Tim Paine did go there as part of a 'World XI' three-match T20 tour in 2017.

- with AP