Abbas Afridi on Umar Gul: “Having a Test cricketer in the family definitely helps; you learn a lot, but you also get scolded… I often receive calls from him where he advises me and helps me improve”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan fast bowler Abbas Afridi said his uncle, former speedster Umar Gul, has played a significant role in his development.
Maaz Sadaqat: “Mohammad Rizwan has been my role model since beginning of my cricket career”
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Pakistan all-rounder Maaz Sadaqat has revealed that wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan has been his role model since the start of his cricketing journey.
Umar Gul: “They have ruined Babar Azam, focusing on strike-rate and changing his batting position has confused him”
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Former Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul said the current white-ball team management has ruined batsman Babar Azam by frequently altering his position in the batting order and placing unending emphasis on his strike-rate in T20Is.
Mohammad Amir: “Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, and Sohail Tanvir should be used in white-ball cricket as they have great expertise”
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Pakistan left-arm speedster Mohammad Amir believes the former pace trio of Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir should be added to the limited overs coaching set-up or serve in advisory roles.
Umar Gul: “[He is] relentlessly striving for the success of his team”
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Umar Gul believes Pakistan batsman Babar Azam wears his heart on his sleeve as he is “relentlessly striving for the success of his team.”
Umar Gul: “He himself doesn’t even know what his role is – whether he’s playing as a bowler or as a batter”
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Former Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul has questioned Faheem Ashraf’s role in the team, suggesting that even the all-rounder himself is unsure whether he is “playing as a bowler or as a batter”.
Umar Gul: “There is a big difference between this team and the ones we had before. Back then, our all-rounders were established and that’s why we dominated. Those all-rounders dominated in every department”
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Former Pakistan pace bowler Umar Gul said the national team is missing all-rounders who can have an impact in every department.
Umar Gul: “There should never be a doubt about Babar Azam’s calibre. He’s a batter who’s in the same class as Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root and Kane Williamson”
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Former Pakistan seamer Umar Gul believes batsman Babar Azam is in the “same class” as India’s Virat Kohli, Australia’s Steve Smith, England’s Joe Root and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson.
Umar Gul: “When Abbas Afridi was picked and I was with the Pakistan team as a bowling coach in New Zealand, I felt more pressure than him. People often criticise players with connections, but at the end of the day, it’s the performance that speaks”
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Former Pakistan pace bowler Umar Gul has admitted that during his time as a bowling coach with the national team, he was worried his nephew Abbas Afridi would be accused of benefitting from nepotism.
Abbas Afridi: “Umar Gul is my uncle and my idol. I started playing cricket by watching him, and I always aim to deliver match-winning performances like him”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan fast bowler Abbas Afridi said he wants to deliver match-winning performances like former seamer Umar Gul.
