Dubai: Australia’s star all-rounder Shane Watson is delighted to be back in action, despite his side’s defeat to Pakistan on Wednesday night.
Watson was rested for the one-day series with the Pakistanis due to a calf injury which he sustained during the recent England tour.
“It was a disappointing start but it was nice to be out there playing after not playing for nearly six to eight weeks. If we put the tail together we could have got a defendable total, but we certainly have to play a lot better over the next couple of games. We now know the kind of performances we need over the next month,” said Watson, who believes that 140 runs would have been a good total against Pakistan.
“We need to take some positives out of match. No doubt 140 runs would have been a decent total to try and defend. You never know about Pakistan as they have got some very talented players,” added Watson, who was trapped leg before by Umar Gul for eight runs.
“There are batsmen who can bat like Kamran Akmal did today and take the game away from us. We need to bat better in the next game to put Pakistan’s batting line-up under pressure.”
Watson went on to praise Gul, who also returned to the Pakistan squad after selectors rested him for the one-day series.
“Gul bowled beautifully at the start as well as later. He is a highly skilled bowler as his record shows in all formats of the game,” he said.
“He is going to be their huge campaigner in the Twenty20 World Cup campaign too.
“Pakistan’s bowling in general is pretty difficult to handle. They have a well-balanced bowling unit. The ball is also going to turn more in the next couple of games as well.”
Watson also praised Sohail Tanvir who took three wickets. “Tanvir is also a very highly skilled bowler. He also bowls differently with the wrong leg and that makes play his delivery very difficult,” said Watson, who is aiming for a match-winning performance in the next match.
“With the world-class spinners Pakistan have now they are a very balanced side.”
