Injured Watson's World T20 participation in doubt

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson's preparation for the World Twenty20, to be held in India in March-April, has hit a hurdle with what is suspected to be an abdominal injury.

The 34-year-old was ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) after he hurt himself while bowling for Islamabad United during their seven-wicket defeat to Peshawar Zalmi in Sharjah on Friday night. He took to twitter to express his disappointment, posting a video from the club's account.

"I've unfortunately made this video because I injured myself last night bowling, so disappointingly I'm going to have to head home back to Australia to get assessed with the medical people at Cricket Australia to try and get right for the Twenty20 World Cup," Watson said.

Watson also thanked his PSL franchise. "Thanks very much to my franchise, Islamabad, I've had a hell of a lot of fun getting to know all the local players and playing in the PSL, which is a great tournament."

Watson's injury is a huge blow to Australia's World Twenty20 plans as the selectors are already dealing with the fitness issues of allrounder James Faulkner, former T20 captain Aaron Finch and paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile.

He has been in devastating form. After back-to-back half-centuries for the Sydney Thunder en route their maiden KFC Big Bash title, he smashed a devastating 124 for Australia against India in a T20 International in Sydney last month. While For Islamabad United, he had made contributions of 40 and 79 earlier this week before injury struck.