Pakistani Cricket Players: Umar Gul

Saturday, 8 October 2011

Umar Gul

Biography of Umar Gul

The tall and larky bowler often praised for his control of line and length, Umar Gul is a promising Pakistani fast medium pacer representing the national side since 2003. Although successful in all three formats of the game, Gul has recently established himself as one of the leading wicket-takers in world Twenty20 cricket.

The twenty-seven year old Umar Gul was born to a middle-class family in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on April 14, 1984. He started playing tape ball cricket ever since childhood. Encouraged by people to become an international cricketer because of his outstanding bowling, Gul began his domestic cricketing career in 2001 from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

Later representing Peshawar and Habib Bank Limited, he was called for his international ODI debut at the Cherry Blossom Sharjah Cup, held in April 2003. Here, he performed admirably, maintaining excellent discipline and getting appreciable outswing with the new ball. Hence, his Test career started in the same year on 24^th August at Karachi, against Bangladesh.

Unfortunately, he has been subject to frequent injuries during his career. Soon after the 2003-04 Test series against India, Gul discovered three stress fractures in his back which lead to his immediate withdrawal from all forms of cricket for the next two years. He returned, fitter and sharper in late 2005 and has been a regular member of the team, since then.

Additionally, his superb performances in the ICC T20 World Cup 2009 lead the Pakistani side to victory. He took three wickets in the final match, making him the top wicket taker of the tournament. Other than bowling, Gul can also hit some runs when needed and has often proved to be a fruitful batsman.

He got married to a Dubai-based doctor in October 2010. The ceremony was held in Peshawar.

Armed with the weapon known as the reverse swing, Umar Gul, over the years has become one of the spearheads for Pakistan cricket paving its way for steady performances in their ranks, currently and for a time to come.

- His tremendous bowling skills in the ICC T20 championship 2009 lead him to become the first bowler of the tournament to achieve a five-wicket haul

- He is the second highest wicket taker in Twenty20 internationals, the first one being

- He is one of the few bowlers having seven 5-wicket hauls in international cricket

- Gul is the leading wicket taker in both the 2007 and 2009 World T20 championships

Umar Gul