Umar Gul reveals he apologized to Shadab Khan for 2023 World Cup injury remarks

Former Pakistani fast bowler Umar Gul has publicly apologized to national team all-rounder Shadab Khan for questioning his injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup match against South Africa.

During the aforementioned game, Shadab suffered a blow to the head while fielding. He briefly left the field for a medical evaluation but returned later. However, due to the concussion, he was eventually substituted by Usama Mir.

While talking on a local sports channel, Gul had expressed his skepticism about Shadab's injury during the crucial match.

“We don’t know what kind of injury he has sustained, but questions arise when you fall, claim to have a concussion, escape from the team, and go outside. The physio checks you, and then after a while, you come out. There, you chat with people and then leave. When the match gets tight, and you realize it is going in our favor, you sit outside in the dugout, cheering. It means you’ve made an excuse; you’ve saved yourself. So people will definitely question it,” Gul had said.

However, Gul has since changed his stance after learning about Shadab's medical advice regarding the risks of repeated concussions.

He revealed in an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan that he personally apologized to Shadab, acknowledging that his initial reaction was influenced by the importance of the match.

"After the PSL, I approached him [Shadab] immediately because the real story was that he had suffered from concussion twice in a year, and the third time it occurred during the World Cup. The doctor advised rest to prevent any serious consequences," Gul said.

"When I found out about it and when I met him for the first time in the training camp, I went straight to him and apologized. I said, 'Shadab, it was never my intention to hurt you, and obviously being a Pakistani, I felt at that time that the team needed you.' So, for the team's requirement, I said this, otherwise Shadab is a great guy and we have good relations, our families have good relations too, but obviously I felt by the statement I had given, and I apologized to Shadab for it," he added.