LOOKING AHEAD: Gul, who has failed to make an impact this year so far, is hoping to achieve high fitness levels in the training camp ahead of the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. PHOTO: AFP
Gul has represented Pakistan in 47 Tests, 124 ODIs and 56 T20Is in an 11-year career that has been hindered by injuries. Despite the grievances, he has accumulated 163 Test wickets, 173 scalps in one-dayers and 80 wickets in T20Is with several match-winning performances.
He made a positive comeback in the Pakistan team after a seven-month lay-off due to a knee surgery against Sri Lanka in December 2013. However, he struggled to find his rhythm in the Asia Cup and the World Twenty20 in 2014 and many felt he had not recovered completely.
Now Gul is keen to achieve the level of fitness that he had during the peak of his career.
“I had a contract with Somerset but I left it because of this camp,” Gul told reporters.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had also given me a No-Objection Certificate, but I had a change of heart because an important training camp was being staged. I believe it will help me attain superior fitness levels and prepare me for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.”
‘No decision made regarding Tests’
When asked whether he had any thoughts about quitting the Test format in order to play longer, Gul replied in the negative.
“I am just focusing on getting stronger and no thoughts have crossed my mind on quitting the Test format. Whenever I feel like I can’t take the burden of playing five-day cricket anymore, I will call it a day myself,” stated the fast-bowler.
“There is a general trend that whoever is retiring from international cricket is focusing on playing different T20 leagues all over the world, because it’s easy and not much demanding in terms of physical stress.”
Latif invites wicketkeepers for trials
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif will begin the Rashid Latif Cricket Academy (RLCA) training camp from June 1, inviting wicketkeepers from all over Pakistan to come for the trials.
The academy is famously known for producing international players such as Mohammad Sami, Asim Kamal, Khurram Manzoor, Khalid Latif, Shahzaib Hasan, and Tanveer Ahmed.
“Wicketkeepers of all age groups from Pakistan can come for the trials,” Latif told The Express Tribune.
“I’ll shortlist them from different categories and age groups. They will be given extensive wicketkeeping tips free of cost because I want to produce wicketkeepers who can contribute for Pakistan. Any wicketkeeper can come in, be it a rookie, club cricketer, first-class or even international player. I’m open to coaching everyone.”
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As usual, another cricketer who wants to keep playing every format, because in his mind he is still good for another 3-5 years. If you look at statements of people like Afridi, Gul, Razzaq, Tanvir, Younis Khan etc and compare them with what they said a few years ago, you would find that these guys dont know how to count as they said the same thing 5-8 years ago as well ! Basically, they all have no intention of making way for younger players and think they are the best in every format. Gul lost his effectiveness a long time ago, and at best should be utilized in T20. He always gets hammered in ODI, cannot handle it with the opposition goes after him and self-destructs, and is extremely ineffective in test matches as his record shows. PCB needs to get tough with players like Gul, Ajmal, Afridi, Misbah etc, and make them play in only one format so that younger players can develop and we dont run into an issue when these oldies get dropped and no one is ready to take their place. Gul should only play T20, Misbah only tests, Afridi only T20, and Ajmal only ODIS. And all of them should retire or be kicked out within a year. Ahmed Shehzad should be T20 and ODI captain and Azhar Ali test captain. Time to say bye bye to the oldies, including Afridi who has always lied about his real age, he is probably even older than Misbah!