Bari urges caution on Gul return

[Zeenix]

Is Bari being Just OTT, or does he have genuine knowlege about the bowler condition.

Source : http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/rsav...ry/276666.html Wasim Bari, Pakistan's chief selector, expressed fears that the expected return of Umar Gul, the injured fast bowler, for the second Test against South Africa next week might backfire. "I hope they (Pakistan team management) take a sensible decision on Gul otherwise we might suffer," Bari told The News. Bari hoped that Pakistan would not rush in the talented Gul, who is seen among the key players for March's World Cup campaign in the West Indies. Gul, Pakistan's most successful Test fast bowler in 2006, missed the opening Test at Centurion because of an ankle injury. Pakistan went on to lose the Test by seven wickets earlier this week. Initial medical reports suggested that the injury would keep Gul out of international action for at least three weeks. However, reports coming from South Africa signal Gul's return for the next Test, scheduled to get underway from January 19 in Port Elizabeth. Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan captain, said recently that Gul has recovered and is expected to play in the second Test. A PCB official also confirmed that Gul is likely to get the all-clear to return to the line-up in Port Elizabeth where the tourists will be looking forward to level the three-match series. However, Bari said that Pakistan might be acting hastily in forcing Gul to make an early comeback. "I'm afraid that if Gul is brought back hastily he might aggravate his injury and he could then be out for a long time. It happened last year when Rana Naved-ul-Hasan was forced to play by his county in spite of an injury and he was out for quite a few months," said Bari, referring to the injury-related absence of Naved-ul-Hasan, who missed several matches in 2006 because of a groin injury he sustained while playing for Sussex. The former Test cricketer, however, hoped that the team management would take the right decision in Gul's case. "I hope better sense prevails because with the World Cup just round the corner we cannot afford to make any mistakes," he said. Meanwhile, a PCB spokesman played down any such fears saying that all of Pakistan's leading bowlers would be available for the second Test. "We have received positive reports on our bowling attack and we expect that Pakistan would take the field in Port Elizabeth with their first choice bowlers," he said. He added that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has also been declared match fit and is all set to bowl in the second Test.

[skr30]

If Akhtar is back we can afford to sit Gul out for Nazir....or dare I say give Sami one final chance.

[mooz]

Originally Posted by skr30 If Akhtar is back we can afford to sit Gul out for Nazir....or dare I say give Sami one final chance.

final, final or final, final, final.

[skr30]

If Sami cant do anything on SA pitches you might as well stick a fork in him.

[Genghis]

I keep thinking that Sami and Bari are best mates or something. He somehow always finds room for him in the squad.

I wouldn't be surprised if the point Bari is trying to bring forward here is that Sami should be played in the 3rd test match. I wish Gul has recovered, but if not I think Nazir deserves to keep his place.

[Invictus]

Gul isn't that much part of the ODI team. We have Shoaib, Asif, Sami, Rao, Rana, Nazir, Razzaq etc for the ODI's. Stop worrying about the WC there is test series to be won which would define the legacy of this team.

[Zeenix]

Originally Posted by skr30 If Akhtar is back we can afford to sit Gul out for Nazir....or dare I say give Sami one final chance.

Gul has his own place in the team, and he isn't just a fill in the blanks for Akhtar. I feel that Pakistan would be more hit by Gul Absence rather then Akhtar's, though Akhtar has his own role and ideally both should be in the team.

[skr30]

Originally Posted by zeenix Gul has his own place in the team, and he isn't just a fill in the blanks for Akhtar.

We are not debating whether Gul deserves to be on the team but rather should we risk playing him. In the first test we were sorely missing another strike bowler which Akhtar can provide. Three strike bowlers would be good but not necessary.

[TaZ]

Originally Posted by skr30 If Sami cant do anything on SA pitches you might as well stick a fork in him.

he didnt do anything last time he was in SA with Waqar in 02/03

[UJ]

Team management and coaching staff in SAF are capable of assessing whether Gul is fit enough to play or not. If he is fit, then theres no reason to sideline for the sake of being cautious for no reason or because Akhtar is likely to come back into the side. If hes fit, let him play. Its as simple as that.

[shan]

he should play no need to give unless Sami another final chance.

[dinakar]

Me too feel that he should be picked up only if he is fit enough. otherwise it would be the same mistake as India did picking up a half fit Munaf and then becomes a liability. I would prefer a fully fit Rana or Shahid against a not-so-fit Gul though they are not in great form.

By the way, this is my first ever post in pakpassion. I'm from Hyderabad, India. thanks to the moderator for accommodating me here.

[161]

Bari is making no sense ... Gul is a much more effective test bowler. In fact if Rana, Shoaib and Asif are available ... he shouldn't even be in our ODI team.

We need him most here in this test series .. and not in the following ODI series or World Cup.

[the true passionist]

I think Gul is ready to play otherwise it doesn't make sense giving him the 12th man duties in the first test. It seems Faisal will have to play that solid role.

[sajad mohammed]

Originally Posted by kashif77 Bari is making no sense ... Gul is a much more effective test bowler. In fact if Rana, Shoaib and Asif are available ... he shouldn't even be in our ODI team. We need him most here in this test series .. and not in the following ODI series or World Cup.

i dont agree, gul is pakistans best bowler in both formats now, as for rana even selecting him in the one day team is a risk, just look at his economy rate its to high for a medium pacer, and he'll be cannon fodder against strong batting line ups

[reverse swing]

Hang On A Minute Pal Asif And Shoaib Have Better Bowling Averages In Both Formats Of The Came And For Rana His Strike Rate In Bowling In Oned Au Is Just As Good As Any So Get Your Facts Right.

[Amjid Javed]

Sami must have some connections to keep getting recalls.

I guess he must have some chacha whose good friends with bari or bari see sami as son in law material and wants to keep him sweet!

[Zeenix]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed Sami must have some connections to keep getting recalls. I guess he must have some chacha whose good friends with bari or bari see sami as son in law material and wants to keep him sweet!

One mustn't forget the threats that Bari recieved from a particular political party, regarding Sami exclusion. Since Bari is a resident of Karachi, he has to show himself as politically correct..