Umar Gul unsatisfied with Pakistan team’s performance on England tour

Pakistan pacer Umar Gul has stated that the Men in Green should have performed in a better manner during the recently concluded tour of England.

Pakistan lost the Test series, one-nil, and only managed to draw the T20I series on the tour.

“I was expecting the team to do better on the tour, especially bearing in mind that we had a lot of time to acclimatise with the conditions. We should have, atleast, drawn the Test series,” said Gul.

“The lack of experience in the bowling departing is clearly hurting the side. Naseem and Shaheen are talented but they need more time to develop as match-winners. On the other hand, in our batting department the middle-order did not perform in accordance with expectations,” he added.

Gul also believes that the team management made a mistake by not including pacer Sohail Khan in the Test playing XI

“Sohail Khan should have been given a chance as he would have been very keen on making a strong comeback. He also performed well in the practice matches. I think the team management made a mistake by not including him in the lineup for Test matches,” he said.

The right-arm fast-bowler also hinted at moving into the field of coaching after his playing days are over.

“I will continue playing domestic cricket as long as I’m performing on the field but if that is not the case I will call it a day,” he said. “I can’t say for sure, right now, if I will get into coaching after my cricket career is over. I have already done level one and two coaching courses and also keen on doing level three in the near future.”

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The Peshawar-born also threw his weight behind return of departmental cricket in Pakistan. 

“The monthly salary I used to receive from the department was sufficient to cover my monthly expenses. But now, honestly speaking, what we are earning from domestic matches, which includes match fees and monthly retainer, is not enough to cover the needs of my family,” he said. 

“The players felt secured in departmental cricket but that is no longer the case. We need departmental cricket back, even if it is in grade two, and I will continue the raise my voice in this regard as a member of the cricket committee,” he added.

Gul also urged top international teams to tour Pakistan because of the improved security situation in the country.

“The security situation in the country is better than before, which was evident from PSL 5 taking place entirely in Pakistan,” he said. “I hope international teams, such as Australia, England and South Africa, also visit Pakistan because our fans would love to see them play here.”