Pakistan cricket team manager Intikhab Alam has said that fast bowler Umar Gul will be back in the Test series against the West Indies in style. Gul has been rested for the One Day International series in the Caribbean after a hectic schedule of international cricket for the last one year.
The Men in Green are scheduled to visit the Caribbean islands later this month for a complete series which includes one T20, five ODIs and a couple of Test matches.
Fast bowling has been the major weapon for Pakistan team since the absence of Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif from international cricket. He has taken a lot of work load and according to Intikhab, he deserves some time off.
Former Test captain said that Gul is the main strike-bowler for Pakistan and his track record suggests that he always performs well after a break. The manager of the Pakistan team believes that he will make a huge impression in the Test series.
Intikhab said, “Gul needed a rest. The last time when we rested him, he returned with a bang and I expect him to do that again soon.”
Pakistan Cricket Board’s selection committee has opted to go with youngsters for the ODI series as they have named five uncapped players in shape of fast bowlers Junaid Khan and Sadaf Hussain, batsman Usman Salahuddin, wicket-keeper Mohammad Salman and all-rounder Hammad Azam.
The bowling department of Pakistan will be tested in the Caribbean as they do not have the services of Shoaib Akhtar, Razzaq'>Abdul Razzaq and Umar Gul in the ODI series. Akhtar has announced his retirement from international cricket, whereas Razzaq has been dropped after a run of inconsistent performances in international cricket.
Alam said that it is crucial for any team to give opportunities to the young players and now it is up to these youngsters to secure a permanent slot in the playing eleven through impressive performances.
“It is necessary for any team to keep trying youngsters. It’s an ongoing process which is like giving fuel injections to the team. It’s a golden opportunity for the youngsters to prove their worth,” former captain added.
It will be interesting to see how Pakistan manages to bounce back from their ICC World Cup 2011 saga. The Caribbean series will be exciting as the two teams battle it out for top honours.
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