Gul on the fast track to recovery

Umar Gul, the Pakistan fast bowler, is hopeful of returning to bowling in a week's time after making sufficient recovery from an ankle injury which ruled him out of the tour of South Africa. Gul and Shoaib Akhtar were sent home from the tour to appear before a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) medical commission.

"There is no pain in my ankle at the moment but the physiotherapist at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) has suggested that since my calf muscles are a bit weak, I need to do some exercises to develop them," Gul told Dawn. "That should allow me to resume bowling in the next four or five days."

Gul was expected to play the second Test at Port Elizabeth after missing the first, but the team management decided against it, fearing that he might aggravate the injury before the World Cup. Gul added that his prime target was proving his fitness before the selectors announce the World Cup squad.

"Playing the World Cup is one of my dreams," he said. "In order to represent the country in the mega event with full force and fitness, I will be making all out efforts from hereon."

Gul has also signed a contract with English county Gloucestershire as their overseas player this season.