Gul advised 15-day rest to recover from back injury

Karachi:

Pakistan pace spearhead Umar Gul has been advised rest for 15 days to recover from a back injury that had troubled him during the recent Test tour of Sri Lanka.

Gul, who picked up the back strain in Sri Lanka during training, said he would recover in time for next month's Champions Trophy in South Africa.

"The doctors have told me to take complete rest for 15 days and then resume light training. I am confident that I will be 100 per cent fit for the Champions trophy," Gul told reporters at the National Stadium here.

Gul said he had overcome fitness problems earlier in his career including a career threatening back stress fracture.

"I know what to do and how to recover from this injury so I am not concerned or worried that I might not be fit in time for the Champions trophy," said Gul, who was Pakistan's star performer in their World Twenty20 victory.

He said his 15-day rest could be a blessing in disguise as he would get a complete break from cricket for two weeks. "It would allow us to go into the Champions Trophy fresh. Because in a big tournament like this you need to be in your best shape in every match as one bad day or spell can cost you a shot at the title," he said.

Gul and other members of the Pakistan's World T20 winning squad took part in a friendly Twenty20 match last night in Karachi to celebrate the country's Independence Day although he didn't bowl.