Asif and Gul all set to be seen in action

Pakistan are expected to receive a pace boost for next month’s proposed one-day series against India as fit-again pacers Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul are set to return to the line-up.

But a huge question mark continues to hang over the possibility of Shoaib Akhtar making his international return against Pakistan’s biggest rivals in the series that is likely to take place from March 14-18.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalised a charge-sheet against the enigmatic fast bowler and its disciplinary committee is expected to announce its verdict on the player’s case next week.

Apart from Shoaib’s case, things look rosy for the Pakistan team that is getting ready to take on world champions Australia at home later this spring.

And the biggest reason for such a scenario is the expected return of the previously injured pace duo of Asif and Gul.

Pakistan have been playing with an under-strength bowling attack since last October’s home series against South Africa during which Asif aggravated his elbow injury and has since been unavailable for national duty.

Asif, 25, who is regarded as the most lethal pacer in Pakistan’s bowling arsenal, last played for Pakistan in the Multan one-dayer against South Africa last October. He missed the tour of India and also failed to regain his match fitness for this year’s home series against Zimbabwe.

But the lanky medium pacer has now completely recovered after undergoing key-hole surgery on his elbow in Australia.

Asif, who has taken 51 Test wickets from 11 matches and 31 ODI scalps from 29 appearances, is now all set to return to the Pakistan line-up next month if India confirm their participation in the series.

The Indian cricket board was supposed to inform the PCB about their decision on the proposed series on Saturday. But PCB officials say they are yet to receive a confirmation on the series.

Umar Gul’s case is a bit trickier as his chronic back problem make him a doubtful starter for the India assignment.

Gul, 23, broke down after the ODI series against India and had to miss the three Tests and later the games against Zimbabwe. He has been in training for a few weeks but complains of a stiff back every now and then.

But chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said on Saturday that he has received ‘positive reports’ about the bowler.

“We are hearing positive reports about both Asif and Gul and will love to have them in the bowling attack,”

he told ‘The News’.

Salahuddin, a former Test cricketer, said that Pakistan will need all the fire in their bowling attack as they will most probably be taking on two of the world’s leading teams — India and Australia — in March and April.

“We have been a bit unfortunate in recent months because some of our frontline bowlers were injured,”

he said.

“But now we will be getting back soon and that is great news considering the fact that Pakistan will be playing against top teams like Australia and India,”

he said.

The chief selector said that unlike Asif and Gul, he was unaware whether Shoaib will be available for the home season.

When contacted by this correspondent, a top PCB official said that a charge-sheet has been prepared against the bowler and a final decision on his case is expected from the Board’s disciplinary committee next week.

Umer Gul On The Mend

Pakistan paceman Umar Gul has flown to Australia for a check-up on his recovery from a back injury.

The 23-year-old has been out of action for five months and is hoping the specialists will help him get back to bowling sooner rather than later.

He told The Dawn:

"I am not in any pain at the moment, but a final opinion is necessary before starting to bowl again."

Gul, who played his last game in November last year, wants to play in a domestic Pentangular Cup game to assess his fitness.

If declared fit, the Peshawar-born fast bowler could be a serious contender for the probable home series against the Australia next month.

Gul is also under contract with the Indian Premier League, which is due to begin in April.

Umer Gul to fly to Sydney for check-up

Umar Gul is due to travel to Australia for a medical check-up on a longstanding back problem, and one that prevented him from taking any part in the Test series against India last year. It puts in to some doubt his availability for the series against Australia, due to be held in March-April.

"I will be going to Sydney in a couple of days' time, but it is just for a check-up on the back,"

Gul said.

"It is the same problem that troubled me in India and though I have been doing my training in the gym, I haven't bowled since. If they clear me, then I will begin bowling again."

Whether or not the problem is linked to the stress fractures of the back that kept him out of the game for over a year soon after his entry into international cricket in 2003-04 is not entirely clear.

According to a board official, doctors confirmed that there was degeneration of a bone in his back, a condition that was initially spotted three years ago; around the same time of the first injury.

"It was initially spotted three years ago and the MRI scan before the Delhi Test showed this again,"

Shafqat Naghmi, the Pakistan board's chief operating officer, said.

"The doctor said he didn't see further deterioration which is a positive but Gul complained of pain so it needs to be looked at. The board decided then that we should seek another opinion and that is why he is travelling to Sydney. If it had been a new injury, it would've been problematic but as it is the same one as before, it is a positive."

Whether or not Gul will be fit in time for Australia's scheduled visit in March-April is unclear. Naghmi only said the situation will be clearer once the doctors have seen him in Australia.

"We can't say right now but let's just keep our fingers crossed."

Indeed Pakistan will, for Gul has developed over the last two years, into one of their brightest fast-bowling prospects. He has been, unfortunately, an injury-prone one, having also missed an entire series in South Africa last year with an ankle injury. It has limited him to just 16 Test appearances since his debut. Gul wasn't selected for the recent series of five ODIs against Zimbabwe, on grounds of fitness and selectors asked him to prove his fitness in the upcoming Pentangular Trophy, to begin from February 10. But he will definitely not play now in at least the first round of matches for NWFP.

Pakistan are also waiting on their other promising young fast bowler, Mohammad Asif, to recover from an elbow injury that has kept him out of cricket since October last year. Asif underwent surgery on his right elbow in Australia at the start of the year and has since started bowling. But Naghmi said it would be another 2-3 weeks before his fitness could be properly assessed.

Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik outlines injury woes

Fast bowler Umar Gul will return home after failing to recover from a back injury, adding to Pakistan's fitness problems on the eve of the crucial second Test against India here on Thursday.

Pakistan, seeking to avoid their first Test series loss in India in more than two decades, were racing against time to find 11 fit players following injuries and illness in their 15-man squad.

Pakistan's last Test series defeat in India came in 1980. They trail 1-0 in the three-match series following their six-wicket loss in the opening game in New Delhi on Monday.

Ace paceman Shoaib Akhtar is still recovering from a chest infection, skipper Shoaib Malik from an ankle injury, and batsman Misbah-ul-Haq and fast bowler Mohammad Sami from viral infections.

"We have too many fitness problems in the team at the moment. I felt pain while jogging. I will have one more fitness test on Friday before I decide anything,"

said Malik, who was injured playing football after the first match.

"Gul bowled at the nets, but he felt pain. He needs treatment and that's why he is going home. We need four specialist bowlers for a Test match. I hope we might be able to manage it."

Malik said Akhtar was still under treatment and it was too early to say whether he would be available for the match.

Akhtar was the lone Pakistani bowler to trouble India in the opening match as he finished with six wickets, including four in the second innings. Gul has so far bagged 67 wickets in 16 Tests.

Pakistan now have only three fit bowlers -- spinners Danish Kaneria and Abdur Rehman, and seamer Sohail Tanvir, who has only played one Test.

"We have no option but to win this Test, but we are struggling with fitness problems. These are difficult times for us. We just hope the players will recover in time,"

said the Pakistani captain.

"We have given options (for replacements) to selectors. It's up to them to decide who to send."

India captain Anil Kumble vowed the turn the heat on the tourists, saying his team would like to wrap up the series with a second successive victory.

"It's important for us to maintain the momentum we gained in the previous match and turn the screws. It's a great opportunity for us to go 2-0 up and seal the series here,"

he said.

"We have to perform up to our potential and ensure we gain a 2-0 lead. There were a couple of areas where we could have done better in the previous game, like we should have scored more runs in the first innings."

India could manage only 276 in the first innings before achieving a 203-run target with ease on the fifth and final day.

"Overall, I was happy with the way we played in the last match,"

said Kumble, leading the side in his first Test series.

When asked whether the current Pakistani side were vulnerable, Kumble said:

"Probably they are missing Inzamam-ul-Haq who was the pillar of their middle order in the past."

"They still have a good team and that they had proved in the previous Test by extending the game into the last day. It could have been a closer game."

Inzamam quit international cricket after a two-Test home series against South Africa in September. Under his captaincy, Pakistan drew a three-Test series 1-1 on their last tour of India in 2005.

Shoaib Akhtar doubtful for second Test against India?

NEW DELHI: Pakistani fast bowler Shaoib Akhtar was hospitalised Tuesday with a chest infection ahead of the second Test against India, an Indian news agency reported.

Shoaib Akhtar, who led Pakistan's attack against the hosts during their first Test match in New Delhi, was taken to a hospital in Kolkata city, the news agency said.

He was the most impressive Pakistani bowler, taking six wickets in the first match.

Shoaib, who had a high temperature, has been diagnosed with a chest infection, Pakistan team media manager Ehsan Malik told reporters.

"The doctor diagnosed a chest infection and said it was advisable to put him on injectible antibiotics and intravenous fluids. He has been admitted to the hospital," Malik said.

It was not immediately known whether the paceman would play in the second Test starting in Kolkata on Friday.

It is the latest concern for Pakistan who have skipper Shoaib Malik nursing an ankle injury suffered during a football game after Pakistan’s defeat in New Delhi.

Batsman Misbah-ul Haq is recovering from a fever and throat infection.

However, seam bowler Umar Gul has recovered from a back problem which kept him out in Delhi and is available for Kolkata.

Pakistan will be desperate to have both men fit as they bid to stop India winning their first home series against their neighbours since 1979-80.

Younus Khan and Mohammad Yousuf are the likeliest men to step in if Pakistan require a stand-in captain, but the PCB is confident Malik will be fit to play.

Pakistan trail 1-0 in the three-Test series following their six-wicket defeat in the opening match.

Umar Gul ruled out of Delhi Test with back pain

Pakistan seam bowler Umar Gul has been ruled out of the first test against India at Delhi on Thursday after feeling pain in his back and hip in training.

Left-arm seamer Sohail Tanvir is now sure to be handed his Test debut and partner Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami in a three-man pace attack. Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and skipper and part-time off-spinner Shoaib Malik will provide the variety.

Gul’s practice at lunch time on Wednesday was interrupted when he was driven to a Delhi hospital to have scans on the injury. Team sources said the scans came back clear but the prospect of taking a half-fit seamer into such an important match was never going to be an option and he was omitted.

Furthermore, there were also reports that Gul, 23, felt pain in the left side of his hip so he is likely to undergo more tests. It is a bitter blow for Pakistan having been deprived of seamer Mohammad Asif already, when he was sent home because of a chronic elbow injury.

“We're going to consult with orthopaedic surgeons in India as well as back home so he is ruled out of the Delhi Test as a precaution,”

a team spokesman said.

Worcestershire express interest in Umar Gul

Worcestershire have offered to sign up Umar Gul, the Pakistan fast bowler, as their overseas professional for the first part of the 2008 season.

"We have talked to Umar's representative in the United Kingdom and have made an offer. We will continue to talk to see what is possible,"

Mark Newton, the club's chief executive told the Times, a London-based newspaper.

"We would like Umar to be our overseas player for the early part of next season and his likely availability would be from early May to early August.

"We are just hoping it [the signing] will all come to fruition and it will be an exciting time if Umar, Simon Jones, Kabir Ali and Matt Mason are all fit and available for next season. Umar is one of the most exciting prospects around and in addition to Test cricket, he has also proved to be economical in Twenty20 cricket."

Gul, 23, was the highest wicket-taker in the ICC World Twenty20 with 13 wickets at a miserly 5.60 runs per over. He has also taken 67 wickets at 31.55 from 16 Tests and 44 wickets at 28.27 from 34 ODIs.

But Gul needs clearance from the Pakistan board before joining Worcestershire. If the board gives him permission, it will be his maiden appearance on the county circuit. Gloucestershire had signed him on for the 2007 season but the Pakistan board had refused to release him owing to concerns about his fitness.

Worcestershire's bowling department has been bolstered by the signing of Simon Jones, the England fast bowler, who will be on a two-year contract. Kabir Ali, who has played 14 ODIs and a Test, and Matt Mason would provide support. Mason is undergoing rehabilitation work after missing most of the previous season due to a shoulder injury.

Pakistan beat South Africa by 25 runs to level series 1-1

LAHORE: Pakistani bowlers did splendid job to get Pakistan a marvelous 25-run victory over South Africa with three balls left after star batsman Muhammad Yousuf inspired with a magnificent century. Thus, the five-match series has been leveled 1-1 as the Protease had won the first match by 45 runs.

Set a target of 266 runs, South Africa made a disastrous start as they lost their two experienced batsmen Herschelle Gibbs and Jacquis Kallis in the first two overs for only four runs on the board. Both batsmen were out for a duck.

However, captain Graeme Smith and A.B. de Villiers rescued their team and carried the score to 80 when de Villiers was dismissed by Iftikhar Anjum for 35.

Then, wicket began to fall at regular intervals but Smith stood at the crease for long. Ultimately, he was dismissed by left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman for a solid 65, which he made off 96 balls with five fours.

Later, Shaun Pollock and Morkel resisted for a while but both got out for 37 and 31, respectively and then Umar Gul and Iftikhar Anjum mopped up the tail as South Africa were all out for 240 in 49.3 overs.

Iftikhar Anjum and Umar Gul captured three wickets each for 43 and 59, respectively while Sohail Tanveer, Abdul Rehman and Shahid Afridi took one wicket each.

Earlier, Muhammad Yousuf ‘s magnificent century helped Pakistan to make 265-9 in the allotted 50 overs.
He scored 117 runs, his second hundred against South Africa and 13th overall in 244 One-day Internationals. He faced 143 balls and hit nine boundaries. He was later adjudged the man-of-the-match.

During his innings, Yousuf was involved in three major partnerships – 60 with Younus Khan (32) for third wicket, 107 with Shoaib Malik (56) for fourth and 41 with Misbah-ul-Haq (21) for fifth wicket.

After winning the toss first time int the series, captain Shoaib Malik opted for batting but his openers let him down again as both were dismissed for 13 runs.

Then Yousuf and Younus took the score to safety and later Yousuf and Shoaib strengthened the position.

However, Shahid Afridi could not repeat the innings which he played in the previous match and after opening his account with a huge six was caught at boundary line on the very next ball.

From South Africa, pace bowlers Albie Morkel, Makhaya Ntini and Charl Langeveldt claimed two wickets each while Shaun Pollock and Jacquis Kallis got one wicket each.

Man of The Match: Muhammad Yousuf

Asif injured in dressing-room spat

Pakistan's preparations for the ICC World Twenty20 have been rocked by an "incident" between Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif in Johannesburg which has led to the latter injuring his leg.

According to sources, the two were allegedly involved in a dressing-room spat which resulted in Asif being struck by a bat on his left thigh. The injury is not thought to be anything more serious than a bruise but a team investigation into the matter is now pending and an announcement is expected tomorrow.

Ahsan Malik, the board spokesman currently traveling with the team, confirmed to reporter that there was a row though he refused to expand on the details.

"There was an incident between Shoaib and Asif in the dressing room soon after practice today. I cannot give any details on the matter. Asif has a bruise on his left thigh but he has had X-rays and has been cleared. He is fine as far as I am aware."

"The team management is carrying out an investigation into the matter and the results are expected tomorrow. We cannot say anything right now about sending players back or replacements,"

Malik added.

Whatever the actual detail of the matter, it is likely to have serious repercussions for Shoaib, who is already on probation for a disciplinary breach last month. He was fined for leaving a training camp in Karachi without seeking permission last month, but after two hearings the penalty was suspended and the bowler placed on a six-week probationary period.

More significant than the immediate future of the two players, however, is the effect this is likely to have on Pakistan's preparations. The side had arrived in Johannesburg earlier today after an impressive performance in a four-nation warm-up tournament in Nairobi, Kenya. They arrived with some confidence, their optimism about prospects in the tournament based partly on the strength of a formidable first-choice pace attack. Had all gone to plan, this would have been the first time Shoaib, Asif and Umar Gul played in the same line-up in any international.

Instead, the development now bears an eerie resemblance to the doping scandal which saw Shoaib and Asif return to Pakistan on the eve of their opening ICC Champions Trophy match last year. It also continues a catastrophic spiral into chaos that began with the fiasco at the Oval Test last year and has continued unabated since, taking in captaincy and administrative changes, the doping scandal, an early World Cup exit and Bob Woolmer's death at the same event.

Pakistan play their first match of the tournament on September 12 against Scotland.

Lawson’s presence would improve his bowling: Umar Gul

LAHORE: Fast bowler of the Pakistan cricket team Umar Gul said that he would get an opportunity of improving his bowling in the presence of Geoff Lawson.

Umar Gul said that Geoff Lawson has been a dangerous fast bowler of his times and he better understands the fundamental weaknesses of batsmen. Thus, he would get the opportunity of learning a lot in his presence.

He said that the players’ training has been started in an impressive manner and now it is up to the cricketers that how they would be benefited from it.

Umar Gul said that the Pakistan team has not much experience of Twenty20 cricket but the players are individually familiar to this type of cricket and therefore good results are expected in the World Championship.

Pakistan restricts Asif and Gul from county contracts

KARACHI (Reuters) - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided not to allow pace bowlers Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul to accept contracts with English counties this year, an official said on Wednesday.
"The bowlers have faced fitness problems and it hit the performance of the team. For the moment we have told them not to accept any contracts," Zakir Khan, director of cricket operations, told Reuters.
Gul, 24, had a contract offer from Gloucestershire while Asif, who missed the World Cup with an elbow injury, had previously played for Leicestershire.
Zakir said a decision on allowing other players to appear for English county sides had not been taken as yet.
Younis Khan is signed up to play for Yorkshire while leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is due to play for Essex.
"The board is in the process of finalising a comprehensive international and domestic programme after the World Cup. We want all our pacers fit and available," Zakir said.
Pakistan were knocked out of the World Cup in the first round after losing to West Indies and Ireland