Afghanistan bowling coach Umar Gul is getting the due credit for the team’s bowling line-up performances in their both games of Asia Cup 2022 Group Stage. Mohammad Nabi and co, at first, thrashed away Sri Lanka in the event’s opener, showcasing brilliant bowling, and defeated Bangladesh in their next match with a similar approach.
Gul, the former Pakistani skipper, while talking with local media, commented on Pakistan’s key bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. He narrated that his national side has plenty of fast bowlers, but they should be managed effectively. Concerning Shaheen’s injury, Gul stated that he could be the team’s asset in the all-important upcoming t20 World Cup 2022.
“Pakistan has very good fast bowlers. The bench is good, and the players need to be taken care of. Shaheen Shah Afridi will be very important for Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, and he must be fit for the event. Everyone said Shaheen was being overloaded as he continued to play, but he also performed well.”
Commenting on out-of-form Hasan Ali, who is now back in the Asia Cup 2022 squad as Mohammad Wasim’s replacement, the Afghanistan bowling coach said his performances are not like they used to be in the past.
“Hasan Ali is getting in and out, and he is not in the same form as before. He has given very good performances in the past.”
Recently, Gul was engaged in cute banter with his wife on Twitter. After two back-to-back wins in the Group stage, the team has proceeded to the Super 4 round, where it will face three rivals, India, and the other two, probably Pakistan and Bangladesh. For Afg vs Pak match, his wife asked,
Pakistan k khilaf zara haat hola rakhna coach saab [Take it easy against Pakistan, coach sir]. Congratulations.”
Replying to all chit-chat going on social media that if Umar will ditch Afghanistan with poor strategies for his national team, he clarified that his wife just jokingly made a statement. Gul further mentioned that he will plan the same way against Pakistan as he does against other teams.
“I am the coach of the Afghanistan team, and I am a professional. I have feelings for the Pakistan team because I played for Pakistan for so long. But the way we plan for other teams, we will plan against Pakistan.