Gul to head Pak attack in Bangladesh

Lahore, Jun 6 (UNI) Talented fast bowler Umar Gul will lead the Pakistan pace attack during the Bangladesh tri-series in the absence of Mohammed Asif who in under detention at Dubai.

''Asif's ouster is certainly a setback for us,'' Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed was quoted as saying by 'The News'. ''But we still have some very talented fast bowlers and hope that somebody like Umar Gul will step forward and shoulder the responsibility of spearheading our pace attack in Dhaka.'' The 24-year-old Gul is the most experienced fast bowler available to Pakistan after the PCB was forced to ommit Asif from the squad.

He will lead a young pace attack comprising the promising Sohail Tanvir, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Khan.

Reposing his faith in Gul, Salahuddin said,''Gul has time and again proved himself to be a wicket-taking bowler and I'm sure he will respond to the challenge.'' Gul has played 16 Tests, picking up 67 wickets and also has 55 ODI scalps from 43 appearances.

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