With Over 400 Wickets In His Kitty, Pakistan Seam Bowler Umar Gul Bids Adieu To All Forms Of Cricket

Gul made his retirement announcement following the culmination of the National T20 Cup encounter between Balochistan and Southern Punjab. Umar Gul took 163 wickets in Test cricket for Pakistan, while picking up 179 wickets in ODIs and 85 in T20Is.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul (Image: PTI)

Pakistan seam bowler Umar Gul announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Friday (October 15). The speedster took to Twitter late on Friday to bid farewell to the sport after a 17-year old glittering career for Pakistan at the very highest level. Gul made his retirement announcement following the culmination of the National T20 Cup encounter between Balochistan and Southern Punjab. Balochistan lost to Southern Punjab and they could not secure a place in the play-offs. "With a very heavy heart and after a lot of thinking, i have decided to bid farewell to all formats of cricket after this National T20 Cup. I have always played for Pakistan with all my heart and 100% of hardwork. Cricket is and will always be my love n passion.", posted Gul on his Twitter handle. "But all good things have to come to an end. Praying that the future will hold much more for me. Secondly, i would like to thank @TheRealPCB and all the coaches and people who have been a part of my cricketing journey. Special thanks to media, my fans and followers who made it all worthwhile n supported me at all times. Thank u so much."

but all good things have to come to an end. Praying that the future will hold much more for me. Secondly, i would like to thank @TheRealPCB and all the coaches and people who have been a part of my cricketing journey. Special thanks to media, my fans and followers 2/3

— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) October 16, 2020

An integral member of Pakistani ODI and T20 teams for over a decade in the 2000s and the early part of 2010, Gul spearheaded Pakistan's title winning campaign with the ball at the 2009 T20 World Cup as he ended the tournament as the highest wicket taker. Since making his international debut against Zimbabwe in April 2003, Umar Gul played 47 Tests, 130 ODIs and 60 T20Is for Pakistan. He took 163 wickets in Test cricket for Pakistan, while picking up 179 wickets in ODIs and 85 in T20Is. The speedster played 125 first-class, 213 List-A and 167 T20 matches, in which he took a total of 987 wickets. Gul was featured in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 where he played for the Sourav Ganguly-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The speedster had a good outing with the white cherry, scalping 12 wickets in 6 matches for the franchise.