The Pakistani fast bowler spoke exclusively to PakPassion.net, as he recovered from a knee injury he picked up in South Africa earlier this year.

by Saj Sadiq (4th June 2013)

Pakistani pace bowling lynchpin Umar Gul’s knee injury on the tour of South Africa earlier this year has opened the proverbial door for others and meant that fans will be denied watching one of the finest exponents of death bowling at the Champions Trophy. Whilst Gul’s recent form has been patchy, there is no doubt that his experience could have been invaluable during the eight team competition that sees Pakistan face West indies, South Africa and India in the group stages.

29 year old Gul speaking exclusively with PakPassion.net explained the extent of his injury, whilst also discussing his rehabilitation programme and when he expects to be bowling again. In addition Gul confirmed that he has no plans to reduce his workload in international cricket by opting out of any formats at this stage of his career.

“The knee injury that I suffered was a sudden one that occurred during the one day international against South Africa at Centurion in March of this year. It was one of those injuries that as a sportsman you get from time to time and it wasn’t an injury that had built up over the years and could be blamed upon playing too much cricket. I had arthroscopy in Australia and thankfully I’m already feeling the benefits of having the surgery” stated Gul.

Speaking about the rehabilitation programme and when he could start bowling again Gul said “I had surgery on 9th May and the medics advised me that for the first three weeks it was imperative that I strengthened the knee with a specific exercise routine that they have advised me and also to ensure that I do a lot of cycling during that time. The three weeks were up recently and I’ve now moved onto the second stage of the rehabilitation programme which is enhanced strengthening and conditioning. As far as running and bowling is concerned, I was told that I can start both after six weeks of my surgery, providing the knee has been strengthened properly and is ready for the rigours of running and bowling.”

Gul who has represented Pakistan on 215 occasions since his debut in April 2003 quashed suggestions that perhaps to lengthen his international career he may as per other quick bowlers around the world stop playing in one or two formats and added “I’ve no plans to reduce the amount of cricket that I play for Pakistan and hope to continue to play in all three formats as long as I am selected. I’ve regularly played all three formats of cricket for Pakistan and I have no intentions to change that. I’m using this opportunity and break from cricket to re-assess my cricket skills, take a break and I’m hopeful that I can come back to international cricket after this injury, fitter, stronger and better.”

Whilst Gul has been on the sidelines, the likes of Asad Ali and Wahab Riaz have impressed with the ball, but rather than worry about his starting place Gul welcomed the healthy competition stating that the competition for places in the pace bowling department was for the betterment of Pakistan cricket.

“Competition for places is always good and it’s great news for Pakistan cricket that there is plenty of competition for places in the fast bowling department, which means that nobody can take their place for granted and think their place is guaranteed in the team in any format. I’m pleased that some of the boys who have taken my place in the team at the moment are performing well and healthy competition can only benefit Pakistan cricket.”

Gul confessed that he was disappointed at missing the Champions Trophy in the United Kingdom which has been a happy hunting ground for him, particularly during the World Twenty20 in 2009, but he hopes that the Pakistan squad that has been selected will perform well in the final edition of the Champions Trophy. He also feels that the Pakistan squad is a well balanced one and a squad that could return home with the trophy.

“I’m the first to confess that whilst injuries are part and parcel of cricket, it’s heartbreaking for me to miss a major tournament like the Champions Trophy in England where I have performed well over the years and where I have always enjoyed playing. However I’m hoping that the boys who are in the UK representing Pakistan perform well and my prayers are with them and I wish them well. Pakistan is a strong unit particularly in the limited over formats and the squad we have at the Champions Trophy is more than capable of coming back to Pakistan with the Trophy. Our strength is the all rounders in the squad like Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik. However limited overs cricket can be a lottery at times, a match can turn on one piece of good fortune or an error and things can change very quickly. The squad has a nice blend to it and I’m hoping that the boys perform to the best of their ability and come back home as champions."