Thaindian News

Karachi, April 10(ANI): Pakistan cricket team manager Intikhab Alam has expressed confidence that pacer Umar Gul will bounce back with a vengeance in next month’s two-match Test series against the West Indies after having few weeks of rest.

Pakistan have little experience in their pace attack, as three of their most seasoned pacers- Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq- are no more in the limited-overs squad for the Caribbean tour.

Akhtar has retired from international cricket, Razzaq was axed due to his below-par performance in the World Cup, and Gul has been rested.

“Gul needed a rest. The last time when we rested him, he returned with a bang and I expect him to do that again soon,” The News quoted Intikhab, as saying.

However, Intikhab was confident that youngsters like Wahab Riaz, Juniad Khan and Sadaf Hussain would give their best in the Caribbean islands.

“We have Wahab Riaz who is getting better and better. Junaid Khan is really good while Sadaf, we have been told, is a decent find,” he said.

The Pakistan squad includes five players yet to play for the senior team- wicketkeeper Mohammad Salman, batsman Usman Salahuddin, allrounder Hammad Azam and pacers Sadaf and Junaid.

“It is necessary for any team to keep trying youngsters. It’s an ongoing process which is like giving fuel injections to the team,” Intikhab said, adding, “It’s a golden opportunity for the youngsters to prove their worth.”

Due to shortage of time, Pakistan have decided against holding a training camp ahead of the West Indies tour. However, Intikhab said, the 16-man squad will assemble in Lahore on April 12 for a two-day gathering ahead of the tour.

“We will have light training during those two days,” he said, adding, “We will have around four to five days before the series gets underway and that will be ample time for the players to adapt to the playing conditions in St Lucia.” (ANI)