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Shane Watson at a T10 press conference in Capital Club, DIFC. Image Credit: Clint Egbert/Gulf News

Dubai: Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, the hero of Indian Premier League final on Sunday, stopped in Dubai enroute to Australia to sign up as the icon player of the Karachians, the new team of the T10 League to be held in December.

Speaking to Gulf News about his heroics in the IPL final, in which his unbeaten 117 off 57 balls helped Chennai Super Kings lift the title beating Sunrisers Hyderabad, Watson said: “It is amazing that I am playing well at even this stage of my career and playing well that too for such a great franchise like the Chennai Super Kings. I am now going to play with the Karachians and it will be another experience to help me get to know more people and continue to develop my game.”


To a query on what is the secret of his success, a smiling Watson said: “There is lot of sacrifice you have to make in life from the point of view of your lifestyle and stay fit and committed. Though it is an individual’s desire to be successful. I want to give one more year and see how good I am and hence it will be nice to be also playing in Dubai in a different format which is shorter like the T10.”

Speaking about dressing room scenes after the IPL triumph, he said: “It was indeed special. For me to have a chance to play with Dhoni is definitely the highlight because after playing against him, to play with him and win a tournament was special. It was also a great feeling to be with Stephen Fleming, one of the finest players and coaches and the combination between Dhoni and Fleming was indeed special.”

When asked whether he may consider playing international cricket again under the present circumstances when the national team has lost their two star players Steven Smith and David Warner, he said: “I am done as an international player. It is the time for youngsters to come in. It is true that what the two Australians did was a huge error of judgement. It will be a tough phase for Australia for some time.”

Shaji Ul Mulk, the chairman of the T10 Cricket League, welcomed Watson to play in the league: “Only a few hours before, we enjoyed watching his finest knock in the IPL. We are delighted to have him play for our T10 cricket league, especially at a time when the T10 league is set to grow with two more teams and rise in the numbers of matches from 13 to 28 in the coming edition.”

Mohsin Imran, Director of Artistic Properties and co-owner of Karachians while explaining about choosing Watson as their icon, said: “Our choice of Shane Watson demonstrates our position and seriousness in promoting the UAE’s home-grown T10 Cricket League and we are proud to say that this is the beginning of many more to come.

“Being a newcomer in the T10 League format, Shane Watson will lead an aggressive campaign for Karachians to win the title in our first participation in the tournament. Karachians will bring the necessary ingredient — the crowds, fan-following, star cricketers and sponsors to the T10 League and help it gain further popularity, especially after Watson’s match-winning century in the finals of the just-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday,” he added.

Watson said lesser the number of overs in this format will suit him. “For my age, the lesser the number of overs, it will be better for me. I know T10 is a condensed form of the T20 and hence, it will be exciting.”