Umar Gul Recollects His IPL Experience; Says It Was A Festival

Former Pakistan speedster Umar Gul has opened up on his experience inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). There used to be a time when Pakistan players also featured in the lucrative competition. Following their impressive show in the 2007 World T20, the likes of Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Misbah-Ul-Haq, Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, and Shoaib Akhtar bagged million-dollar deals.

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Umar Gul was undoubtedly the best bowler in the 2007 ICC World T20. The right-arm pacer, with his long hairs, could bowl pinpoint yorkers quite consistently. He ended up as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, picking up 13 wickets in seven games at 11.92. Gul plied his trade for the Kolkata Knight Riders, captained by Sourav Ganguly.

Umar Gul recalled the first match of the IPL when Brendon McCullum smashed 158 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The 36-year old stated that after their home series against Bangladesh, they travelled to India, where there were plenty of fans of Pakistani players. Gul asserted that it was a magnificent experience and the tournament was a festival. The Peshawar-born played six matches, picking up 12 wickets at 15.33.

“We enjoyed a lot. First time such a private league was happening. I remember I was the highest wicket-taker in the 2007 World Cup and I was picked almost at the end in the IPL. We were playing a home series against Bangladesh and Brendon McCullum smashed 150 in our first match. We were very excited.

Then we went to India. There are a lot of fans of Pakistani players in India. IPL was a totally different thing, it was like a festival.” the 36-year old stated as quoted by Times Now.

It was great and it brought professionalism in us: Umar Gul

The veteran paceman also recalled that regardless of the result of the match, there used to be parties, photoshoots with the franchise owner, Shahrukh Khan. Umar Gul admitted having had a splendid experience of sharing a dressing room with top-notch players that inculcated professionalism in them and got to see their work ethics. Following 2008, due to strained political relations between the two nations, Pakistani players weren’t allowed to partake in the extravaganza.

“You play the match and then after the match there would be a program at the hotel. That was especially the case with KKR, with Shahrukh Khan as the owner. Whether you won the match or lost, we used to have a photoshoot after the match for their brand and sponsors. And then we used to have team parties.

It was a great experience. I got to learn a lot because I was still young and we got to share the dressing room with players like Ricky Ponting. It was great and it brought professionalism in us. We got to know how these legendary cricketers spend their lives,” Gul added.

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