Injured Gul to miss Champions Trophy

Umar Gul, the Pakistan fast bowler, has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to an injured right knee. He sustained the injury last month after the Centurion ODI against South Africa and has been sidelined since.

He will fly to Melbourne for surgery in the first week of May. The injury also means he will miss the fixtures against Ireland and Scotland next month.

"Gul complained of right knee pain during the recently concluded one-day series against South Africa," a PCB spokesman confirmed. "He was rested for the last two one-dayers for imminent damage to his medial meniscus and bone of the right knee. A later MRI scan confirmed a full thickness tear of the posterior horn of medial meniscus with patchy bone bruising on his right knee.

"In order to expedite his return to cricket and quick rehabilitation, PCB have contacted Dr Alexander David Young in Australia, who in his initial reports has confirmed damage to his right knee and has given a timeline of 8-12 weeks for his full recovery (after the surgery)."

Gul, who missed the final Test against South Africa, played the first two ODIs but missed the rest of the series due to the knee injury. He also missed the ongoing President's Cup domestic one-day tournament for Habib Hank Limited.