Quetta Gladiators have been given a major boost with Shane Watson confirming his availability for the Karachi-leg of the 2019 Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The veteran Australia opener was initially a doubt to travel to Pakistan for the business end of the tournament but has now confirmed his willingness to do so through his Instagram account.

“It’s been 14 years since I last visited Pakistan, a place with some of the most passionate fans in world cricket. Can’t wait to give it our best shot in bringing home the trophy with Quetta Gladiators,” the 37-year-old wrote in an Instagram post.

Watson is the leading run-scorer in the ongoing edition, aggregating 332 runs in nine matches at an average of over 47 with the help of three half-centuries.

While Pakistan fans will be disappointed by the late pull out by South African ace AB de Villiers due to injury, Watson’s confirmation will come as good news.

Watson and the Gladiators have already become the first team to book their spot in the Qualifier with the side notching up seven victories in their nine clashes held in the UAE.

The remaining eight matches of the 2019 PSL are all due to be held in Karachi, Pakistan. Lahore had initially been allotted three matches but the delay in reopening of the city’s airspace has led the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to move them to Karachi.

Quetta Gladiators play Karachi Kings at the National Stadium, Karachi on March 10 in their final league stage encounter. Sarfraz Ahmed and his men will then play the Qualifier at the same venue on March 13.