Watson stars in Pakistan T20 opener

Recent Australia Twenty20 captain Shane Watson, along with fellow KFC BBL stars Kevin Pietersen, Andre Russell and Luke Wright have featured in the inaugural match of the Pakistan Super League T20 tournament in Dubai this morning.

Watson’s Islamabad United were comfortably accounted for by the Quetta Gladiators in the opening match of the two-and-a-half-week long tournament that’s being held in the United Arab Emirates.

Islamabad could only manage 7-128 from their 20 overs, which Quetta, led by Melbourne Stars international Luke Wright (86 from 53 balls), chased down in 16 overs.

Opening the batting, Watson struggled to get going and was eventually dismissed for 15 from 27 balls, to leave Islamabad reeling at 3-28 after eight overs.

Some late fireworks from Sydney Thunder allrounder Andre Russell (35 from 20) and veteran Pakistani batsman Misbah-ul-Haq (41 from 28) helped Islamabad scrape to 128.

Wright made light work of the total however, letting loose at the top of the order for Quetta while pummelling 11 fours and four sixes in his match-winning knock.

Batting at No.3 for the Gladiators, Stars teammate Kevin Pietersen joined Wright at the crease with the score at 53 in the fifth over but was dismissed for 8 shortly after.

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Despite his earlier heroics with the bat, Russell had a night to forget with the ball, taking 0-31 from just two overs.

Watson (0-13) also went wicketless from his two overs, as did Brisbane Heat leg-spinner Samuel Badree (0-25 from three overs).

Two matches are scheduled for tomorrow: Shaun Tait and Brad Hodge are set to turn out for the Peshawar Zalmi tomorrow against Quetta, while the Lahore Qalanders, featuring West Indians Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo, take on the Karachi Kings.