Daily Times

KARACHI: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has defied all odds since its inception in 2016 to become one of the top Twenty20 leagues around the world. Originally played by five teams, a sixth team named Multan Sultans was added for the 2018 edition which allowed another venue for many talented Pakistan players to showcase their skills. A veteran of 237 international matches where he has taken 427 wickets, Umar Gul was picked by the newest franchise Multan to strengthen their bowling resources. Vastly experienced and capable of delivering yorkers with a high degree of accuracy, Gul was a logical choice for Multan as they went about with some zeal to stamp their authority in Pakistan’s premier Twenty20 tournament. The fourth edition of the PSL should possibly have been another opportunity for Multan to continue with their efforts to become one of the top teams but the recent announcement by the PCB about the termination of ownership rights has left the sixth side’s future in limbo. Gul, who was looking forward to his participation in the next edition of the PSL expressed his satisfaction with the PCB’s handling of the matter, as he explained in an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net.

“As a player and a professional you have to just get on with it and leave what happens regarding the sixth franchise to the Pakistan Cricket Board to sort out. The Pakistan Super League is a brand and the image of the brand is very important for the PCB and I am sure they will resolve this issue accordingly.” The Pakistan pacer’s future at the PSL looked very settled with Multan but Gul is hoping that changes in the management of the sixth team will not adversely affect his chances, “I spoke with the owners of Multan and they had stated to me that they were going to release me ahead of the player draft for the fourth edition of the PSL, but then they had also hinted that they may re-sign me at the draft.” Gul’s career has seen a lot of ups and downs and whilst he has always put in his best to be marked as one of Pakistan’s top performers over the years, injuries have plagued his career but to his immense credit, he remains upbeat and is looking forward to better days.

“I’ve been a little unlucky with injuries around a year to eighteen months ago and that meant that I couldn’t play as much cricket as I had wanted to. But now I am fully over the injury problems and have been playing regularly in every format in domestic cricket. I’ve been captaining HBL and we have been very successful in the domestic circuit. I’m back, fully fit and feel that I am bowling with good rhythm, so I’m hopeful that I will get a chance to play in the next edition of the Pakistan Super League. The yorkers that I was famous for are back and I’m feeling good about my bowling.” At 34 years of age, Gul feels that he has plenty to offer to any side based on his experience which has seen him play a key role in many Pakistan victories.

Published in Daily Times, November 13^th 2018.