Wasim Akram was one of my childhood heroes: Shane Watson

Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has landed in Pakistan to take part in the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Having featured in each of the past four editions, Watson has been one of the biggest superstars of the franchise-based league.

His pinnacle moment came in the last season when he emerged as the leading run-scorer- 430 runs in 12 matches at an average of 43 and a strike-rate of 143.81 with the help of four half-centuries- to help Quetta Gladiators to title glory. Watson briefed the media on Tuesday where he answered a plethora of questions and also revealed his favourite Pakistani cricketer.

Shane Watson went on to say that Wasim Akram was one of his childhood heroes. The duo recently featured in the Bushfire ‘Big Appeal’ charity fixture where the Aussie stroked the left-arm pacer for consecutive sixes. The all-rounder revealed how he kept apologizing to his childhood hero after hitting him for maximums.

“I still feel really bad about that – Wasim [was] one of my heroes when I was growing up and now as well as he is a quality person. I felt very bad especially after [the] the second one went in the breeze and kept going, I continued to apologize to Wasim.” Shane Watson was quoted as saying by PakPassion.

Shane Watson downplays suggestions of  making an international comeback

Shane Watson, who retired from international cricket post the 2016 T20 World Cup, was one of the most successful players in the tournaments’ history. However, the all-rounder does not have any intention of making a comeback in the upcoming World Cup edition in Australia.

“In regards to comeback for Australia in T20 World Cup, no, I am very happily retired and I love doing what I am doing in different tournaments but now with Quetta Gladiators is one of the highlights of my year and it’s a pleasure to be here again,” he said.

Watson is one of the 36 foreign players and was one of the firsts to lock his name, as far as travelling to Pakistan was concerned. “I can’t wait to come back to Pakistan and play in season five. I had an amazing experience in Karachi during the last PSL,” the 38-year-old had said.

Watson will kickstart his PSL 2020 campaign when defending champions Quetta Gladiators lock horns with former champions Islamabad United on February 20 in Karachi.