Gul expresses interest in T20 captaincy

Saturday, 17 May 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ESPNCricinfo: Umar Gul, the Pakistan fast bowler, has expressed interest in filling the vacant post of national Twenty20 captain, though he

insisted he first wants to return to top form. The PCB has been looking for a Twenty20 captain since the World T20, after which Mohammad Hafeez stepped down. Gul, 30, is a vastly experienced T20 player but had a difficult 2013 when he was sidelined by injury for nine months, before returning in December. Doubts over his fitness resurfaced when he withdrew from the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka in January. However, he continues to make the limited-overs squads and is currently the world’s second highest T20 wicket-taker and one of the most senior players in the Pakistan squad. “I also wish to be a captain so that when I retire I will be remembered as former captain,” Gul told reporters at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. “But it depends on PCB what they think. I want to return to performing like I used to in the past, and if so then why not (consider the captaincy). But I have no issue playing under any captain, either the senior or junior, and recently I have fully supported Hafeez as well.” Gul sustained a knee injury in March 2013 during the second ODI against South Africa in Centurion, and has missed five series since, including the Champions Trophy. Following the injury, he travelled to Australia for surgery and after six weeks of rest, began his rehabilitation. “It’s very difficult to come back after injury in international cricket but still I am lucky enough to survive. Though things were a bit up and down I am feeling much better in this summer camp. I am trying to do hard training more than others so that I could be as much fit as I was before operation.” He took nearly a year to regain full fitness, and has re-established himself in the limited-overs sides, though his Test career remains in the balance.