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”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
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.
Imam-ul-Haq: “Iftikhar Ahmed is called Chacha but he has told us many times that he seriously doesn’t like being called Chacha”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq said power-hitter Iftikhar Ahmed “seriously doesn’t like being called Chacha”.
Babar Azam: “Abbas Afridi is also learning how to bowl in different situations”
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Pakistan limited overs captain Babar Azam is excited to see fast bowler Abbas Afridi becoming more versatile as he “learning how to bowl in different situations”.
Abbas Afridi: “I have started playing cricket watching Umar Gul. Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi keep guiding me with their bowling tips”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan fast bowler Abbas Afridi has been receiving tips and advice from fellow speedsters Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Abbas Afridi: “Umar Gul has worked really hard with me recently”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan fast bowler Abbas Afridi expressed his gratitude to his uncle Umar Gul for helping him improve his game as of late.
Abbas Afridi: “I keep talking to my uncle Umar Gul and we always discuss different plans. He guides me and we come up with strategies against different batters. I’ve worked very hard on my variations”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan fast bowler Abbas Afridi has confirmed that he keeps talking to his uncle, former seamer Umar Gul, to discusses bowling strategies against different batsmen.
Pakistan seamer Haris Rauf: “My father has three brothers and all lived together. My father had one big room and when my uncles got married, my father gave his room to his brothers. Eventually, we reached the point where we were sleeping in the kitchen”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan seamer Haris Rauf has reflected on how he was sleeping in the kitchen at one point in his life as many of his family members were living in one house.
Pakistan opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq: “I came in the team after playing 47 first-class matches, two Under-19 World Cups and two Pakistani tours, getting called parchi even after all that was a very unfamiliar situation for me. I guess it will be like this till my retirement”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Imam-ul-Haq, the Pakistan opening batsman, said he expects to keep being called “parchi” until the day he retires from international cricket.
Muhammad Hurraira on Shoaib Malik: “My uncle [Shoaib Malik] has been a motivation for me. Seeing him play at the highest level for such a long period gave me that boost that I can also follow his example”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Muhammad Hurraira, the up-and-coming Pakistan opening batsman, has outlined plans to follow in the footsteps of his uncle – veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik.
