A Cricketing Guiness(latest news & information)

Pakistan’s campaign for their World Twenty20 title defence was dealt a blow on Sunday when Umar Gul was withdrawn from the squad.

Gul, and all-rounder Yasir Arafat had been reeling from injuries for the last two weeks and were replaced by fast bowlers Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Irfan.

“Umar Gul and Yasir Arafat failed to recover from their injuries and have therefore been dropped from the squad,” Pakistan’s coach Waqar Younis was quoted as saying by DawnNews.

Younis said Sami and Irfan will be included in the 15-man squad before their departure for the Caribbean next week.


Gul, Pakistan's most successful bowler in the Twenty20 format and their leading wicket-taker at the last two World Cups, has a shoulder injury and Yasir a calf problem.

“They are very good at this form of the sport and proven performers but we have to manage with the players we have available,” coach Waqar Younis said.

Gul was hopeful of recovering in time but coach Younis and chief selector Mohsin Khan insisted that no player will be part of the squad unless he is fully fit.

“We have recommended the names of fast bowler Mohammad Sami and another young pace bowler Mohammad Irfan to the board Chairman for final approval as replacements,” chief selector Mohsin Khan told reporters on Sunday.

With 43 wickets and best bowling figures of 5/6 (against New Zealand in the 2009 World Twenty20), Gul is a world-record holding bowler in the shortest format of the game.