Mohammad Abbas Afridi Acknowledges Umar Gul’s Impact

Pakistani all-rounder Mohammad Abbas Afridi has spoken about the considerable influence that former fast bowler Umar Gul has exerted on his career, stating that Gul is his role model.

In an open conversation with a local social media outlet on Monday, Afridi discussed his journey in cricket, conveying his profound respect for the renowned pace bowler.

“Umar Gul is both my uncle and my idol. I began playing cricket by observing him, and I consistently strive to produce match-winning performances akin to his,” Afridi stated.

Afridi also emphasized how he actively seeks guidance from Gul to refine his skillset, particularly his batting technique.

“Prior to the PSL, Umar Gul dedicated time to practice sessions with me, concentrating on power hitting, which proved to be immensely beneficial,” he added.

Furthermore, the 24-year-old characterized himself as a versatile all-rounder, expressing a preference for batting over bowling.

“I perceive myself as an all-rounder; however, I haven’t yet had sufficient opportunities to fully demonstrate my capabilities. I prioritize batting over bowling, and my objective is to solidify my position as a genuine all-rounder,” he concluded.

Notably, the right-arm fast bowler has represented Pakistan in 20 T20I matches, securing 33 wickets and accumulating 93 runs throughout his career thus far.

Currently, he is participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 for Karachi Kings, where his performance has been noteworthy, having captured 15 wickets in eight innings, sharing the leading wicket-taker position with Jason Holder of the West Indies.

For context, Karachi Kings currently hold the third position in the PSL 10 points table, having achieved five victories and three defeats in eight matches.

Their upcoming match is scheduled against Peshawar Zalmi at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.