Omission: Gul dropped over poor form

Gul, had rested from the ODI series on the tour returning with 21 wicket-less overs costing 61 runs in the first Test.

Fast-bowler Umar Gul was left out of Pakistan’s playing-eleven as the second Test between the visitors and West Indies got underway yesterday. Gul, who opted to rest from the limited-overs series on the Caribbean tour, played the first Test and returned with 21 wicket-less overs that cost 61 runs.

On a pitch where West Indies fast-bowlers dominated, Gul’s return did not impress the team management which opted to drop the 27-year-old, giving his place to Tanvir Ahmed. He has taken 34 wickets in the last 11 Test matches since the start of 2010.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2011.