Gul hopes to make international comeback in `fitter, better, stronger` form

Karachi: Pakistani pace bowling lynchpin Umar Gul has said that he is hopeful that he can come back to international cricket after his injury in a fitter, stronger and a better form.

Gul`s knee injury on the tour of South Africa earlier this year has been a blessing for players for whom the proverbial door has been opened, although his absence would be missed by fans, who will be denied watching one of the finest exponents of death bowling at the ICC Champions Trophy. Although Gul was disappointed at missing the eight-nation mega event which has been a happy hunting ground for him, particularly during the World Twenty20 in 2009, he said that he hopes to come back in a improved form and will be using his time away from the game to reassess his cricketing skills. Gul, who has represented Pakistan on 215 occasions since his debut in April 2003, dismissed suggestions that he may reduce his workload to lengthen his international career, saying that he hopes to continue to play in all three formats as long as he is selected, adding that he has no intentions of changing his plans. Although the likes of Asad Ali and Wahab Riaz have impressed with the ball while Gul was forced to watch from the sidelines, the bowling star however, said that he was not worried at the competition, adding that competition for places in the pace bowling department was for the betterment of Pakistan cricket. According to Gul, such competition ensues that no player can take their place for granted and think that their place is guaranteed in the team in any format. Gul further said that he hopes that the Pakistan squad that has been selected will perform well in the final edition of the Champions Trophy, adding that the squad is a well balanced one and has good chances of returning home with the trophy. ANI