Umar Gul ruled out of ICC Champions Trophy
Knee injury sidelines Pakistan fast-bowler for up to 12 weeks
Gul’s injury, which will sideline him for 12 weeks, is a big blow for Pakistan’s Champions Trophy hopes. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
Pakistan’s challenge at the ICC Champions Trophy suffered a blow yesterday as pace spearhead Umar Gul was ruled out with a knee injury that will keep him out of action for up to 12 weeks.
The 29-year-old complained of knee trouble during last month’s tour of South Africa and was sidelined after playing the first two games of the five-match One-Day International series.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Gul would head to Australia for an operation next month.
“Gul complained of right knee pain during the South Africa tour,” stated the PCB. “He was rested for imminent damage to his medial meniscus and bone of right knee. On his arrival back to Pakistan he underwent MRI scan which confirmed a knee problem.”
Gul’s initial reports were sent to Australia where a specialist advised surgery and rest and gave a timeframe of eight to 12 weeks for full recovery. The PCB said they hoped the operation would go ahead in Melbourne early next month.
The bowler has taken 163 wickets in 47 Tests and 167 in 116 ODIs. He is also the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 Internationals with 74 in 52 matches. Pakistan are placed in Group B alongside India, the West Indies and South Africa in the Champions Trophy to be played in England from June 6.
Defending champions Australia, Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand form Group A.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2013.
Pakistan’s challenge at the ICC Champions Trophy suffered a blow yesterday as pace spearhead Umar Gul was ruled out with a knee injury that will keep him out of action for up to 12 weeks.
The 29-year-old complained of knee trouble during last month’s tour of South Africa and was sidelined after playing the first two games of the five-match One-Day International series.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Gul would head to Australia for an operation next month.
“Gul complained of right knee pain during the South Africa tour,” stated the PCB. “He was rested for imminent damage to his medial meniscus and bone of right knee. On his arrival back to Pakistan he underwent MRI scan which confirmed a knee problem.”
Gul’s initial reports were sent to Australia where a specialist advised surgery and rest and gave a timeframe of eight to 12 weeks for full recovery. The PCB said they hoped the operation would go ahead in Melbourne early next month.
The bowler has taken 163 wickets in 47 Tests and 167 in 116 ODIs. He is also the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 Internationals with 74 in 52 matches. Pakistan are placed in Group B alongside India, the West Indies and South Africa in the Champions Trophy to be played in England from June 6.
Defending champions Australia, Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand form Group A.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2013.