'Shaheen Afridi will be very important for Pakistan in T20 World Cup,' says Umar Gul

DUBAI: Former Pakistani pacer and current Afghanistan cricket team's bowling coach Umar Gul said that Shaheen Shah Afridi will be extremely important for Pakistan in the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.

Shaheen sustained a knee injury during Pakistan's tour to Sri Lanka and the PCB announced that he has been sent to London to complete his rehabilitation process.

Talking to the media, Gul said: "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."

The 39-year-old also advised the team management to adopt a rotation policy for Pakistan's fast bowlers so that they are not overloaded.

"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."

He also revealed the reason why his wife asked him to take it easy against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022.

After winning two matches in the Asia Cup, the Afghanistan team became the first team to reach the Super Four. After which Gul's wife congratulated him on social media and wrote: Pakistan k khilaf zara haat hola rakhna coach saab [Take it easy against Pakistan, coach sir]. Congratulations."

The former cricketer said that his wife jokingly asked him to take it easy against Pakistan.

Gul added: "I am the coach of the Afghanistan team and I am a professional. I have feelings for the Pakistan team because played for Pakistan for so long. But the way we plan for other teams, we will plan against Pakistan.

"The Pakistan team is also good. And its coaching staff is also good. Afghanistan will benefit from playing against the top team Pakistan because the players will learn."

Talking about his coaching experience so far, the 39-year-old stated that he is enjoying coaching and had a tendency toward coaching from the beginning.

"When I used to play, I used to inform my fellow players about my experience because cricket is my passion. Now I want to stay connected with cricket through coaching. Being associated with Quetta Gladiators also benefited, as the management helped a lot," he concluded.

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