Pakistani Hopes Rest On Gul

Selectors are looking to Umar Gul to spearhead Pakistan's bowling in the absence of Mohammad Asif in the tri-series in Bangladesh also involving India.

Asif, currently under detention on suspicion of carrying drugs at the Dubai airport, was dropped from the Pakistan team on Wednesday.
His place was taken by Sohail Khan, 24, an upcoming fast bowler who had caught the eye with his pace in the series against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
But selectors revealed they were hoping Gul, the most experienced fast bowler in the side, would come good.
"Asif's ouster is certainly a setback for us," chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed told The News, a Pakistan based daily.
"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."
With the exception of Gul and Sohail Tanvir, Pakistan's pace attack has a raw look to it, with Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami both absent.
Shoaib is hoping to overturn a five-year ban imposed by the PCB for disciplinary reasons when his case comes up before an appellate tribunal on June 8.
Sami was also not considered after his involvement with the unofficial Indian Cricket League.
"Gul has proved himself as a wicket-taking bowler and I'm sure he would respond to the challenge," said Salahuddin.
Gul had a fairly successful stint with the Kolkata Knightriders in the Indian Premier League, claiming 12 wickets from the six matches with a best of four for 23, but it was Tanvir who emerged the top bowler of the tournament with a haul of 22 wickets from 11 matches.
"Sohail showed he can be really destructive and we hope he retains his form in Bangladesh," said Salahuddin.
Selectors have stated performances in Bangladesh would count for selection for the Asia Cup which follows the tri-series.
The Pakistan team will leave later on Thursday for Dhaka where they take on hosts Bangladesh in the first match on June 8.