ESPNcricinfo Awards 2009 T20I bowling nominees: Scrooges of the short form
Two Guls and three others make up the T20I bowling shortlist
George Binoy
13-Jan-2010
Umar Gul: a nightmare for batsmen in T20s • Andrew Parsons/Associated Press
Umar Gul
4 for 8 vs Australia
Only T20I, Dubai
Shane Watson had muscled to 33 off 13 balls when Gul was introduced into the attack. Watson didn't last another delivery; Gul trapped him lbw in the fifth over. That wicket triggered a collapse and Gul was brought back for his second over only in the 15th of the innings, whereupon he proceeded to snuff Australia out. He picked up three more wickets and finished with 4 for 8 to dismiss Australia for 108.
4 for 8 vs Australia
Only T20I, Dubai
Shane Watson had muscled to 33 off 13 balls when Gul was introduced into the attack. Watson didn't last another delivery; Gul trapped him lbw in the fifth over. That wicket triggered a collapse and Gul was brought back for his second over only in the 15th of the innings, whereupon he proceeded to snuff Australia out. He picked up three more wickets and finished with 4 for 8 to dismiss Australia for 108.
Trent Johnston
3 for 20 vs Bangladesh
World T20, Nottingham
Bangladesh were favourites, after India, to qualify from their group to the second stage of the World Twenty20, but their passage was ambushed by a three-wicket burst from Trent Johnston. He ripped through the top order, dismissing Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful and Shakib Al Hasan, to reduce Bangladesh to 50 for 3 in the eighth over. Thanks to his spell, Ireland had wrested the momentum, and they went on to capitalise on it.
3 for 20 vs Bangladesh
World T20, Nottingham
Bangladesh were favourites, after India, to qualify from their group to the second stage of the World Twenty20, but their passage was ambushed by a three-wicket burst from Trent Johnston. He ripped through the top order, dismissing Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful and Shakib Al Hasan, to reduce Bangladesh to 50 for 3 in the eighth over. Thanks to his spell, Ireland had wrested the momentum, and they went on to capitalise on it.
Ajantha Mendis
3 for 20 vs Australia
World Twenty20, Nottingham
Australia had never played Mendis before. They had prepared for him, but even the best-laid plans fail. Mendis bowled Ricky Ponting with one that went the other way, halting a promising innings of 25 off 15 balls. He then trapped Shane Watson lbw and breached Michael Hussey's defences. His spell of 3 for 20 helped limit Australia to 159 for 9, a total Sri Lanka overhauled with an over to spare.
3 for 20 vs Australia
World Twenty20, Nottingham
Australia had never played Mendis before. They had prepared for him, but even the best-laid plans fail. Mendis bowled Ricky Ponting with one that went the other way, halting a promising innings of 25 off 15 balls. He then trapped Shane Watson lbw and breached Michael Hussey's defences. His spell of 3 for 20 helped limit Australia to 159 for 9, a total Sri Lanka overhauled with an over to spare.
Wayne Parnell
4 for 13 vs West Indies
World T20, The Oval
A 19-year-old novice up against one of the world's most intimidating openers, Chris Gayle. In his first over, Parnell hit Andre Fletcher's off stump with a fast and straight delivery. In his next, he ran in to Gayle and forced a mis-hit, leaving West Indies on 13 for 2 chasing 184. Parnell returned at the death, and with his second ball got rid of the dangerous Kieron Pollard before dismissing Jerome Taylor off the fourth. His figures at that point were 4 for 4 in 2.4 overs.
4 for 13 vs West Indies
World T20, The Oval
A 19-year-old novice up against one of the world's most intimidating openers, Chris Gayle. In his first over, Parnell hit Andre Fletcher's off stump with a fast and straight delivery. In his next, he ran in to Gayle and forced a mis-hit, leaving West Indies on 13 for 2 chasing 184. Parnell returned at the death, and with his second ball got rid of the dangerous Kieron Pollard before dismissing Jerome Taylor off the fourth. His figures at that point were 4 for 4 in 2.4 overs.
Umar Gul
5 for 6 vs New Zealand
World T20, The Oval
New Zealand were already struggling at 72 for 4 after 12 overs when Younis Khan brought a sixth bowler into the attack - Gul. His impact was instantaneous and devastating: Gul dismissed Scott Styris and Peter McGlashan with his third and fourth deliveries, sent Nathan McCullum's leg stump cartwheeling in his next over, and ended with the dismissals of James Franklin and Kyle Mills - again off consecutive balls - in his third. New Zealand were shot out for 99 and Daniel Vettori said he had "never ever seen someone reverse the ball after 12 overs".
5 for 6 vs New Zealand
World T20, The Oval
New Zealand were already struggling at 72 for 4 after 12 overs when Younis Khan brought a sixth bowler into the attack - Gul. His impact was instantaneous and devastating: Gul dismissed Scott Styris and Peter McGlashan with his third and fourth deliveries, sent Nathan McCullum's leg stump cartwheeling in his next over, and ended with the dismissals of James Franklin and Kyle Mills - again off consecutive balls - in his third. New Zealand were shot out for 99 and Daniel Vettori said he had "never ever seen someone reverse the ball after 12 overs".
George Binoy is a senior sub-editor at Cricinfo