Umar Gul to consult doctors in South Africa

Umar Gul, the injured Pakistani fast bowler, is set to get treatment from specialists in South Africa. A report in the Karachi-based News says that Gul will seek specialist advise to help with his career-threatening back injury.

Gul has flown out to Capetown where he will consult some specialists who have been recommended by the Pakistan team physio Darryn Lifsun and fitness trainer Murray Stevenson," said Abbas Zaidi, a senior PCB official. "After consulting these specialists and going through a proper examination procedure the board will get the reports on Umar's injury and if required he can even stay on in Capetown to undergo a rehabilitation process."

Gul has not played for Pakistan since the second Test against India at Lahore, where he starred with a fine display of swing and seam bowling. "We are concerned about his fitness because he is one of our more promising players and we are keen to have him fit for the Australian tour from December," said Zaidi. Gul has undergone treatment in Pakistan, but the team's medical support staff were unsatisfied with the progress he had made, when the team came together for their training camp just before the Videocon Cup.

Gul has played five Tests, taking 25 wickets at an average of 24.56. In one-day internationals he has 19 wickets from 15 games, at 27.31.