PakPassion Presents an Exclusive interview with Pakistan paceman Umar Gul. Gul made his debut at the age of 19 in 2003 and is a regular pick in all three formats of the game for Pakistan. The Peshawar born quick bowler has excelled in the shorter versions of the game and his Twenty20 bowling statistics compare with the best in the world.
By Saj Sadiq (19 July 2011)
PakPassion Presents an Exclusive interview with Pakistan paceman Umar Gul.
Gul made his debut at the age of 19 in 2003 and is a regular pick in all three formats of the game for Pakistan. The Peshawar born quick bowler has excelled in the shorter versions of the game and his Twenty20 bowling statistics compare with the best in the world.
PakPassion.Net: How are you finding your stint at Sussex this season?
Umar Gul: I'm really enjoying myself here. I've followed Sussex for the past 3 or 4 years especially due to the likes of Mushtaq Ahmed, Rana Naved, Yasir Arafat having played here. They are a lovely bunch of people here. The management team and the players are very good, there is a very professional and positive approach and there is no such thing as a blame culture. It doesn?t matter if you have a good game or not, everyone backs each other and there is no criticism. We've got a huge last T20 qualification match coming up and we will do our utmost to win that match and qualify for the quarter finals.
PakPassion.Net: It must have been easier for you to settle at the club especially given that Rana Naved and Naved Arif were already here?
Umar Gul: Yes especially Rana, as he has been playing for Sussex for a while now as well as Naved Arif - both have helped me settle in. However it's not just the Pakistani players, but all of the players who have helped. They are a great bunch of lads, very friendly, which goes for all the staff at Sussex. It's a very well run club with a fantastic atmosphere. It doesn?t feel like I am abroad playing for a County side, it just feels like I am playing for my local club side amongst friends.
PakPassion.Net: You are an experienced Twenty20 bowler, having played all around the world, what do you feel are your aims during this stint with Sussex?
Umar Gul: The standard of the competition is very good. All of the teams are very competitive and you have to be at your best to perform well. As a cricketer you are always learning and this spell at Sussex is also an important part of my development as a cricketer.
PakPassion.Net: Have you signed with Sussex for the entire Twenty20 campaign or just the group stage?
Umar Gul: If we qualify for the quarter finals, then I will return here after going back to Pakistan, as there is a break of a couple of weeks between the group stage and the knockout stage. I'd originally planned to go and play in the Sri Lankan Premier League during the break, but that is no longer possible, so instead I will spend some time with my family and come back for the quarter finals.
PakPassion.Net: There are a number of Pakistani players in the County circuit this time around. Does that provide a bit of needle and spice when you came face to face?
Umar Gul: It's heartening to see so many Pakistani's in County cricket this time around. It's a fantastic opportunity and it definitely helps Pakistan in the long term when so many players have the benefit of County cricket. Also, it's great for the fans as they are seeing international cricketers from different parts of the world and County sides and fans appreciate the effort that Pakistani players put in for every match.
It's enjoyable to play against international team mates. The other night I was playing against Wahab Riaz and Azhar Mahmood, today it was against Shahid (Afridi). We all know each other strengths and weaknesses and I'm sure it makes for interesting viewing.
PakPassion.Net: Your record in Twenty20 cricket makes for good reading, what's the secret, considering it's supposed to be a batsman friendly format?
Umar Gul: If it's your day, things will go for you. But if it's not your day then whatever you try, however hard you try, things will not go in your favour. The other thing is that the pace of the game means that you have to think on your feet, think quickly and be alert to what the batsmen is doing and what you think his next move will be.
Variation also plays a major role in a bowler?s armoury. You have to be able to bowl a good yorker and have the ability to mix up your pace, without the batsmen reading you. The variations are key, but it's also important that you use these varieties at the right time.
PakPassion.Net: Any changes that you would like to be made specifically to the Twenty over format?
Umar Gul: Conditions don't really change over the course of the fourty overs in this format, so it's the same for both sides really. Wickets seem to be in favour of free scoring in this format, so perhaps some bowler friendly wickets in this format would be a welcome change.
PakPassion.Net:The World Cup semi final loss to India was heartbreaking for fans and players alike. You bowled fantastically well and consistently throughout the duration of the World Cup, however things went horribly wrong during the semi final. Was this down to pressure or something else?
Umar Gul: Obviously it was a huge game, there was a lot of pressure on the players as there is any time we play India. It doesn't matter whether it's a World Cup semi final or any other match against India, expectations are always high. The pressure on Pakistan was not the pressure of performing well or losing, rather it was the pressure of the mounting expectations from fans all over the world.
In addition there was a break of several days between the quarter final and the semi final and rather than just getting on to do the business of playing the match, we had to wait around for a few days before the match was due to take place. That meant that the hype surrounding the match just grew and grew. Also the Indian side saw me as one of the key players in the Pakistan side and targeted my bowling that day. They were successful in their approach and unfortunately it wasn't my day.
PakPassion.Net: Your critics say that you are not as effective in test cricket as you are in one day and Twenty20 cricket. How do you respond to that criticism?
Umar Gul: I don't take it too personally and instead use it as something to motivate me further. In twenty over cricket the bowlers have more energy, the batsmen take more risks and therefore it's easier to take wickets. Yes no doubt in the past three or four years I've bowled well in the shorter formats of the game but I enjoy test cricket and it's only in the last 18 months where I haven't had great results in test cricket. But I'm working hard to improve my test record and I am confident that I will succeed in that format also.
PakPassion.Net: Pakistan are without the services these days of Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Shoaib Akhtar. Is it right to label you as the spearhead of the bowling attack and senior bowler?
Umar Gul: I've been a regular selection in all formats for the past 2 or 3 years, so yes I think it's right to label me as the senior bowler. There's additional responsibility on my shoulders given the bowlers that are not available.
PakPassion.Net: Do you think you can handle the additional responsibility of leading the Pakistan attack in all formats and it won't affect your game?
Umar Gul: I am confident that I can handle the responsibility of leading the bowling attack for Pakistan and won't succumb to the pressure that comes with this added responsibility. I feel I have performed well for Pakistan over the years and will continue to do so, God Willing, in future. Every cricketer has ups and downs in his career, but I always give 100% and look to contribute to the team effort in any way I can.
PakPassion.Net: Any message for the many Pakistani fans around the world who will read this interview?
Umar Gul: Thanks for the great support over the years. Please continue to support me and my team mates through the good and bad times. I always thank my parents and my fans for the support they have given me and I hope that the fans continue to get behind me and Pakistan in the future.
Gul made his debut at the age of 19 in 2003 and is a regular pick in all three formats of the game for Pakistan. The Peshawar born quick bowler has excelled in the shorter versions of the game and his Twenty20 bowling statistics compare with the best in the world.
PakPassion.Net: How are you finding your stint at Sussex this season?
Umar Gul: I'm really enjoying myself here. I've followed Sussex for the past 3 or 4 years especially due to the likes of Mushtaq Ahmed, Rana Naved, Yasir Arafat having played here. They are a lovely bunch of people here. The management team and the players are very good, there is a very professional and positive approach and there is no such thing as a blame culture. It doesn?t matter if you have a good game or not, everyone backs each other and there is no criticism. We've got a huge last T20 qualification match coming up and we will do our utmost to win that match and qualify for the quarter finals.
PakPassion.Net: It must have been easier for you to settle at the club especially given that Rana Naved and Naved Arif were already here?
Umar Gul: Yes especially Rana, as he has been playing for Sussex for a while now as well as Naved Arif - both have helped me settle in. However it's not just the Pakistani players, but all of the players who have helped. They are a great bunch of lads, very friendly, which goes for all the staff at Sussex. It's a very well run club with a fantastic atmosphere. It doesn?t feel like I am abroad playing for a County side, it just feels like I am playing for my local club side amongst friends.
PakPassion.Net: You are an experienced Twenty20 bowler, having played all around the world, what do you feel are your aims during this stint with Sussex?
Umar Gul: The standard of the competition is very good. All of the teams are very competitive and you have to be at your best to perform well. As a cricketer you are always learning and this spell at Sussex is also an important part of my development as a cricketer.
PakPassion.Net: Have you signed with Sussex for the entire Twenty20 campaign or just the group stage?
Umar Gul: If we qualify for the quarter finals, then I will return here after going back to Pakistan, as there is a break of a couple of weeks between the group stage and the knockout stage. I'd originally planned to go and play in the Sri Lankan Premier League during the break, but that is no longer possible, so instead I will spend some time with my family and come back for the quarter finals.
PakPassion.Net: There are a number of Pakistani players in the County circuit this time around. Does that provide a bit of needle and spice when you came face to face?
Umar Gul: It's heartening to see so many Pakistani's in County cricket this time around. It's a fantastic opportunity and it definitely helps Pakistan in the long term when so many players have the benefit of County cricket. Also, it's great for the fans as they are seeing international cricketers from different parts of the world and County sides and fans appreciate the effort that Pakistani players put in for every match.
It's enjoyable to play against international team mates. The other night I was playing against Wahab Riaz and Azhar Mahmood, today it was against Shahid (Afridi). We all know each other strengths and weaknesses and I'm sure it makes for interesting viewing.
PakPassion.Net: Your record in Twenty20 cricket makes for good reading, what's the secret, considering it's supposed to be a batsman friendly format?
Umar Gul: If it's your day, things will go for you. But if it's not your day then whatever you try, however hard you try, things will not go in your favour. The other thing is that the pace of the game means that you have to think on your feet, think quickly and be alert to what the batsmen is doing and what you think his next move will be.
Variation also plays a major role in a bowler?s armoury. You have to be able to bowl a good yorker and have the ability to mix up your pace, without the batsmen reading you. The variations are key, but it's also important that you use these varieties at the right time.
PakPassion.Net: Any changes that you would like to be made specifically to the Twenty over format?
Umar Gul: Conditions don't really change over the course of the fourty overs in this format, so it's the same for both sides really. Wickets seem to be in favour of free scoring in this format, so perhaps some bowler friendly wickets in this format would be a welcome change.
PakPassion.Net:The World Cup semi final loss to India was heartbreaking for fans and players alike. You bowled fantastically well and consistently throughout the duration of the World Cup, however things went horribly wrong during the semi final. Was this down to pressure or something else?
Umar Gul: Obviously it was a huge game, there was a lot of pressure on the players as there is any time we play India. It doesn't matter whether it's a World Cup semi final or any other match against India, expectations are always high. The pressure on Pakistan was not the pressure of performing well or losing, rather it was the pressure of the mounting expectations from fans all over the world.
In addition there was a break of several days between the quarter final and the semi final and rather than just getting on to do the business of playing the match, we had to wait around for a few days before the match was due to take place. That meant that the hype surrounding the match just grew and grew. Also the Indian side saw me as one of the key players in the Pakistan side and targeted my bowling that day. They were successful in their approach and unfortunately it wasn't my day.
PakPassion.Net: Your critics say that you are not as effective in test cricket as you are in one day and Twenty20 cricket. How do you respond to that criticism?
Umar Gul: I don't take it too personally and instead use it as something to motivate me further. In twenty over cricket the bowlers have more energy, the batsmen take more risks and therefore it's easier to take wickets. Yes no doubt in the past three or four years I've bowled well in the shorter formats of the game but I enjoy test cricket and it's only in the last 18 months where I haven't had great results in test cricket. But I'm working hard to improve my test record and I am confident that I will succeed in that format also.
PakPassion.Net: Pakistan are without the services these days of Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Shoaib Akhtar. Is it right to label you as the spearhead of the bowling attack and senior bowler?
Umar Gul: I've been a regular selection in all formats for the past 2 or 3 years, so yes I think it's right to label me as the senior bowler. There's additional responsibility on my shoulders given the bowlers that are not available.
PakPassion.Net: Do you think you can handle the additional responsibility of leading the Pakistan attack in all formats and it won't affect your game?
Umar Gul: I am confident that I can handle the responsibility of leading the bowling attack for Pakistan and won't succumb to the pressure that comes with this added responsibility. I feel I have performed well for Pakistan over the years and will continue to do so, God Willing, in future. Every cricketer has ups and downs in his career, but I always give 100% and look to contribute to the team effort in any way I can.
PakPassion.Net: Any message for the many Pakistani fans around the world who will read this interview?
Umar Gul: Thanks for the great support over the years. Please continue to support me and my team mates through the good and bad times. I always thank my parents and my fans for the support they have given me and I hope that the fans continue to get behind me and Pakistan in the future.
Discuss!
