(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) England international Liam Dawson hopes that the unexpected opportunity of playing in the Pakistan Super League will help him grow as a cricketer, especially in sub-continental conditions.
Dawson, who turned 28 on Thursday, was picked by defending champions Peshawar Zalmi as a replacement for Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan.
The left-arm spinner, who has figured in 10 fixtures across the three formats, since making his England debut last year, felt playing in such conditions and against an array of international cricketers, was a learning curve.
"It is a great opportunity to come and play in the Pakistan Super League and I'm very excited for it," Dawson said after a training session at the ICC Cricket Academy. "It is always a challenge coming to the subcontinent and coming to Asia as an English player so more the tournaments like these you can play in, it only makes you better as a cricketer because you learn a lot as well. I'm excited to take part in it and hopefully I will get a chance at some point in the tournament," he added.
Dawson is yet to play a game because of registration formalities but he could figure when Peshawar Zalmi take on Multan Sultans at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 6.
"I signed in the replacement draft for Shakib so, it is obviously good to get the opportunity to come over. I don't think I can play until March 4 due to registration details. But, as I said, I'm training hard and obviously, when the fourth of March comes around, I'll be ready to play," said Dawson.
Dawson is taking in the experience of being part Peshawar Zalmi and said that he has felt at home.
"It is obviously good to be a part of the Zalmi family. The coaching staff and the captain made it very clear that we want to be tight as a group as we can in this competition. It is obviously great to be involved in such a big competition. I haven't played yet so I'm looking forward to playing if I get the chance in such a good competition," he said.
This year's edition will see three fixtures played in Pakistan with both the eliminators pencilled in for Lahore and the final scheduled to be played in Karachi. Last year, the final was held in Lahore.
Dawson said that he is willing to travel if the team make it to the eliminators and the final.
"I think I am. I've had a chat with the rest of the guys as well and from the reports I heard last year, it was fine. So, if we get to the eliminators and the final, then I'll be prepared to go," Dawson said.
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