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Umar Gul, who had played a key role in Pakistan winning the T20 World Cup in 2009, is now the bowling coach of Team Afghanistan and is excited about Afghanistan’s chances in the Asia Cup, starting on Saturday.
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Umar Gul, who had played a key role in Pakistan winning the T20 World Cup in 2009, is now the bowling coach of Team Afghanistan and is excited about Afghanistan’s chances in the Asia Cup, starting on Saturday.
See more videos at https://gulfnews.com/videos
Read more Gulf News stories here: https://bit.ly/2HLJ2km
Subscribe to Gulf News on YouTube and watch more of our videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/GulfNewsTV
#UAEnews #cricketnews #asiacup2022
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NewsTranscript
00:00Assalam-o-Alaikum. Good evening. Namaskar. Tassriyakaal to all the beautiful people of the world.
00:07You know, we've had numerous cricketers on our show. But this time, I have a very, very special friend.
00:13He's a tearaway fast bowler. He was known for his toe-pressing yorkers.
00:17And to be very honest, one of the most nicest and humblest players in the world.
00:22And mind you, he has a record not once, twice he has taken 5 wickets in a T20 format for just 6 runs.
00:29We have none other than the great and the only one, Umar Gul. Welcome to the show, Umar bhai.
00:34Thank you so much, Anish bhai.
00:36And first of all, the way you introduced me, you are a very nice person.
00:41That's why I have been in touch with you for so long.
00:44Like an elder brother, you are like an elder brother to me.
00:48I always respect you from the bottom of my heart.
00:50Whether I am in touch with you or not, I can always respect you.
00:55Thank you. Thank you, Umar bhai. Thanks for the kind words.
00:58Now, you know, tomorrow the big Asia Cup starts where Afghanistan is taking on Sri Lanka.
01:05And you being the bowling coach, how prepared is your team for this big match?
01:11To be honest, first of all, I really enjoyed with the guys when I got the opportunity to work with them.
01:17And then this is my third tour with them.
01:22Like before that, I did Zimbabwe tour and recently we came from Ireland.
01:28So, the good thing is, the response from the bowlers, it's really nice.
01:34And they listen and the thing is, they are very hard worker.
01:38And they want to play for their country as everybody wants to play for their country.
01:44So, I think they are very...
01:47If you see physically, they are really strong. They are hard worker.
01:50So, so far, I am enjoying with them.
01:52And I try to pass on my experience.
01:55There is no doubt about it that you are one of the legends of Pakistan cricket.
02:00And your experience will be very viable.
02:01But one important thing, you know, the culture.
02:04What Afghanistan has is also an advantage for you being a Pathan.
02:08That background, that definitely helps in the bonding between the players and you.
02:13Yeah, definitely it's worked a lot, Anish bhai.
02:19As you know, I am also a Pathan and they are also Pathan.
02:21So, the best thing is, they listen to me.
02:25Before that, they had some like foreign coaches.
02:28And the one thing was missing the language barrier.
02:34So, I think they are also benefiting because I can speak with them in Pashto.
02:40Even they know Urdu.
02:41But most of the time, I'll try to speak with them in Pashto.
02:46So, I know we have the similar culture.
02:52I think it's benefiting for both sides.
02:54It's benefiting for me as well.
02:55It's easy for me to work with them and explain to them.
02:59And the second thing is, they are also enjoying with me.
03:03Because most of the players, they played along with me in Peshawar.
03:06Once they were used to live in Peshawar.
03:09So, most of the guys, they knew me and even I know them from like so many years before.
03:17Absolutely right.
03:18That you know them well.
03:19It makes a difference.
03:21And now, you know, Afghanistan, we all know, have been known for their spinners.
03:27Whether we talk about Rashid, whether we talk about the skipper Nabi, we talk about Mujib.
03:32Tell us about the fast bowlers whom you are grooming.
03:35I think the first task I was when I came and joined the team.
03:40So, I spoke to the captain and their management at that time.
03:45They had the head coach, Raees.
03:49I spoke with them that, listen, I know that Afghanistan spinners, they perform really well.
03:58Like in the past, they won so many matches for Afghanistan.
04:02Like in the shape of Nabi, Mujib, Rashid, they got a lot of experience.
04:07They played every franchise cricket.
04:12And after that, I sat with them and spoke to them that, listen,
04:22we are going to play Asia Cup.
04:23Then we are going for World Cup, Australia.
04:28So, from very first tour, Zimbabwe tour, I think, I have sat with them.
04:34And they used to play with one pacer or two spinners in the past.
04:40But in the first time, Zimbabwe tour, I sat with them.
04:43And we went with three pacers.
04:47And in the first time, from both ends, one of our pacer bowled.
04:52Before that, they were using spinners.
04:55Like from one end, they used to bowl with the spinner.
04:58And from the other side, they used to bowl with the pacer.
05:01But the result was very good.
05:03In Zimbabwe tour, our pacer performed well.
05:06He bowled with the spinners.
05:07And the team needed to go and take some wickets with the new bowler.
05:13So, that tour was also very good.
05:15And the pacer gave a very good response.
05:17And then we played Ireland.
05:20There also, the pacer bowled very well.
05:22Although we lost the final, but it was due to rain at DL Manitoba.
05:28So, I think we got a very good response.
05:31So, obviously, we got some good spinners like Rashid, Mujib, Nabi.
05:37And the young guy, another one, Noor Ahmed.
05:40He is very talented.
05:41And if we talk about the pacer, then Fazal.
05:45He is the upcoming superstar for Afghanistan.
05:48He is performing very well.
05:50Fareed bowled very well.
05:51And Azmat is a young all-rounder.
05:55He is like a big quick, skitty.
06:01Although he is not that much tall.
06:02But he is skitty.
06:03And he has a good potential to become a good all-rounder.
06:07Very true.
06:08And I'm happy to know about all these upcoming stars coming from Afghanistan.
06:13And like you said, initially, you guys were always opening with spinners.
06:16But now you are also opening with the quicks.
06:18That is definitely going to add a lot of strength.
06:22And with your experience.
06:23Now, Umar, you were famous for your Yorkers.
06:25You are known to bowl in the depth.
06:28So, how...
06:29You know, this T20 is such a difficult and unpredictable format.
06:33What advice do you generally give to a fast bowler?
06:36That if you get hit for runs, how do you keep calm and don't lose it?
06:43First of all, the first important thing is the self-confidence.
06:47How much you have confidence in yourself.
06:50Secondly, you have to be very sharp.
06:52Because as you said, it's like a quick format.
06:59Very quick format.
07:00So, in this, you have to be very sharp.
07:03You have to read the batsman very quickly.
07:05And before the batsman hits you out, you have to change your plan within seconds.
07:13So, the main thing is to work on them.
07:16Not only on the skills.
07:18But the thing is, they have the potential.
07:21They have the skills.
07:22But the main important thing is that they don't have the...
07:26Like, you can say, the glamour.
07:30The experience of international cricket.
07:32So, what I'm doing...
07:34I'm working on the skills.
07:35But with the passage of time, I'm also doing on their game awareness and mindset.
07:43So, I think mindset is very important for a player.
07:45And game awareness.
07:47So, he's a youngster.
07:49I have to tell him what game awareness is.
07:52Slowly and gradually, I'm working on his skills.
07:55And like I said, the most important thing is your game awareness.
07:59And what your mindset says.
08:01So, mindset is very important also.
08:04You've hit the nail, you know, Umar Gul.
08:06Like, game awareness is the most, most important thing in a game of T20.
08:10Which is fast, furious.
08:12And one over of good batting.
08:14And one over of good bowling can change the game.
08:15You've absolutely hit the nail.
08:18I want to ask you one important thing, you know.
08:20Afghanistan's speciality.
08:23I would use the word speciality.
08:25Apart from the spinners, it's going to be the short-format game.
08:28Because T20, you know, where they can...
08:31Not that they cannot compete in the 50 overs.
08:33They've done well in the 50 overs.
08:34But T20 probably would be Afghanistan's strength going into tomorrow's match.
08:39I think I agree with you.
08:42Short-format T20 suits them very well.
08:45And they played a lot of T20 games.
08:46Because they did not get that chance in the past to play T20 or longer version test cricket.
08:55So, I think they are known for the T20 cricket.
08:58And if you look at their top order, especially in batting.
09:03If you look at the shape of Gurpaz, Zazai, Najeeb, Nabi himself.
09:10So, I think they have a good reputation.
09:15They play all around the world franchise cricket.
09:18So, I think it's very suitable for T20.
09:21And they themselves like it a lot.
09:23And then if you come in the middle order.
09:27So, we got some good all-rounders.
09:30Nabi, Najeeb, as already mentioned.
09:34Karim Jannat and Azmat.
09:36So, later on, in the last, we got some good spinners.
09:41So, yes, they enjoy the T20 cricket.
09:45And they have the experience.
09:48Like, I want to talk about Najeeb-ul-Azadar.
09:50And I was reading about him somewhere.
09:51That he has developed himself into a very responsible batter.
09:55Initially, he was supposed to be known to be a dasher.
09:57But now, he reads the game well.
09:59And he has done some good performance in the recent concluded series in Ireland.
10:02With the vice-captain, Najeeb.
10:05Yeah, obviously, the vice-captain has an additional responsibility.
10:11And the thing is, I think at the moment, we have Najeeb in the middle order.
10:16He is more responsible.
10:18And he performed very well recently in Ireland, in Zimbabwe tour.
10:23And he has built his reputation.
10:26Because, I am saying this again and again.
10:29The players who play cricket, they have the experience.
10:32And you need opportunity.
10:38So, I think he got a lot of opportunity.
10:40He has proven himself.
10:42So, I think, once again, the responsibility comes to Zadran.
10:47He has transformed himself very well from the past few years.
10:53So, yes, Najeeb has a key role in the team.
10:58You are absolutely right.
10:59And let me now come to the president.
11:01The captain, Mohammad Navi.
11:04So, is he like the president in the dressing room?
11:07Or he is very cool in the car?
11:10To be honest, he is like...
11:12If you ask me, he is very gentleman.
11:15And he is very friendly.
11:18Although he is a captain, he has the authority.
11:23But if you see him, as I said, he is very thoroughly gentleman.
11:28And he wants to take his team along with him.
11:32So, yes, obviously, for a captain, he should take his team and teammates along.
11:38So, I think that is the quality in Naveeb.
11:41All right.
11:41And I would be not right if I don't ask about the X-factor in your team.
11:47The one and only Rashid Khan.
11:48Tell us about us, our fans for Rashid Khan.
11:53Obviously, if you see that most of the spinners coming from Afghanistan,
12:00just because of Rashid, then Mujib.
12:03They are the key player and role model for the youngsters in Afghanistan.
12:09So, yes, once again, very good teammate.
12:14Good friend of all the players.
12:17And he got a good reputation throughout the world.
12:21Recently, I think, there is no franchise that Rashid is not playing.
12:25And everybody wants him to play for his team.
12:29So, obviously, there is a responsibility on him.
12:32And always, the most important thing is that the player is good.
12:37But with a good player, you need to have a good teammate who has that quality.
12:44And as I said earlier, my goal was to join the Afghanistan team as a fast bowling coach.
12:53I spoke with them many times.
12:55Look, you have a role model in the shape of spinners.
12:59Rashid and Mujib and Naveeb.
13:02So, we are looking forward to improve our cricket.
13:06And you need to match some more role models in the shape of fast bowlers.
13:13So, my goal is to get a good role model in the shape of fast bowlers.
13:18So that the cricket in Afghanistan gets better.
13:21And not only for the juniors, but for Rashid and Naveeb.
13:26I want to get a good fast bowler so that he can get a role model.
13:31And for the juniors sitting behind, I want them to become good fast bowlers for Afghanistan.
13:37So, boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen.
13:40The great Umar Gul has said two very important points.
13:42Rashid is not only a good spinner, but also a good teammate.
13:46And another important point, which is I believe the most important point of our chat show,
13:50is that people always look forward to the spinners as role models like Rashid Khan and Mujib.
13:56But he wants to develop a culture of fast bowlers where
14:01Afghanistan is just not considered as a spinner's boss.
14:04But they can also rule with the fast bowlers.
14:06Great, great point, Umar.
14:09One important point all the fans would like to know.
14:12Umar Gul has been a terrible fast bowler.
14:15A guy who used to bowl quick, who has all the guile to bowl the bowling.
14:19But how can Umar Gul be so quiet and calm?
14:22How does he not lose his temper?
14:24What does Umar Gul do?
14:25Does he meditate?
14:26Does he pray?
14:27What does Umar Gul have that keeps him calm?
14:31I think first of all, being a Muslim, it's compulsory to pray five times.
14:37But as you said, I'm calm and cool.
14:50Inside, at times, I become angry.
14:56But as a fast bowler, you have to be very cool from here.
15:01Your mind should be very cool.
15:04Then you can perform very well.
15:08Your position should also react to you from above.
15:11Then obviously, your performance will improve.
15:14But at the same time, aggression is very important for a fast bowler.
15:22In the shape you go, you can bowl good dot ball.
15:28As you said earlier in the beginning, that in T20 cricket, 1-2 overs can change the game.
15:35So I always try to keep myself calm and just focus on my performances.
15:41Once again, Umar Gul has hit the nail that he prays five times a day as a Muslim.
15:46Which is very important.
15:48But at the same time, it's not only about sledging which makes a fast bowler a good fast bowler.
15:53It's about how he reads the game.
15:55And keep calm.
15:56Suppose he gets hit for 20 runs or 25 runs, he makes sure that he comes back.
16:01Well said, Umar Gul.
16:03And I have to ask this question, Umar Gul.
16:05You know, ladies and gentlemen, we all know Pakistan came very close to win the T20 World Cup in 2007.
16:15Unfortunately, it was not to be the last lost in the last over.
16:18But Umar Gul was instrumental in the final where he got the big wickets of MS Dhoni.
16:23As well as he got of Yuvraj Singh.
16:25And I think he got one more wicket.
16:26He got picked up three wickets.
16:27Who was the third wicket?
16:28Gautam Gambhir.
16:30Who was the highest scorer?
16:31But mind you, folks.
16:33He came back with the vengeance in the 2009 T20 World Cup where Pakistan went on to win.
16:40Umar Gul, you have to talk to us about that win which was under Yunus Khan's captainship.
16:45And Umar Gul was one of the leading fast bowlers.
16:49Anees Bhai, obviously, India-Pakistan match is always like...
16:52You can say it's a very pressure game.
16:54It is always very pressure matches.
16:58Not only in Pakistan.
16:59If I say, by the same time, India plays like...
17:04Off the field, we are very good friends.
17:07And even though here in Asia Cup, during the Asia Cup, we did some practice session together.
17:13So, all the players, they go and meet each other, hug each other.
17:18And they ask their families about their families.
17:21So, I think off the field, we are very good friends.
17:23But yeah, I'll come to the point.
17:27In 2007, it was, I think, for the first time T20 cricket was happened.
17:33And we did some mistakes in the final.
17:39Which caused us, like it was a close game.
17:41But it caused us that we couldn't win that match.
17:44But when we came to the 2009 World Cup, we were focused on our mistakes.
17:54That as a good team, as a good player, you always need to learn from your mistakes.
18:03So, obviously, those mistakes were in our mind.
18:06And we worked on it.
18:09The mistakes we made in the last World Cup, we rectified them.
18:14We worked on it a lot.
18:19So, once again, always...
18:22Always, whenever you go to a big event, you should have a goal set.
18:27So, Yunus Bhai had set a goal that we have only one goal from here.
18:32That we have to short-cut and finish the mistakes we made in the last World Cup.
18:38And secondly, the most important that after a long time, it was a good chance for us to win a World Cup.
18:47We won the ISTC trophy in 1992, we won the 50 overs.
18:52But after that, it was a long game.
18:54We couldn't win any major event.
18:56So, it was a target, a goal.
18:58And when you have a goal in your mind, when you go towards an achievement,
19:04you don't repeat even the smallest mistakes.
19:10Well said, Umar.
19:11We have this much time only for the first show.
19:14Where Umar Gul's Afghanistan team is going to take on the dynamic Sri Lankans.
19:20It's going to be a cracker of a match.
19:22The beginning of the Asia Cup.
19:24So, we wish Umar Gul and his team the very best for the first match against Sri Lanka.
19:28Thank you, Anish Bhai.
19:30And yeah, we are looking forward.
19:32First game is always very important.
19:34Especially in a big tournament like ACC, Asia Cup and ICC.
19:41It sets your tone.
19:43When you win the first game, it is always very important to win the first game.
19:47And it sets the tone for the rest of the tournament.
19:49So, yeah, we are looking forward.
19:51And Inshallah, we try to play our best cricket and win the first game.
19:56Although Sri Lanka, they got some good players.
19:59They have some experienced cricketers.
20:03But on the other side, as I said earlier, in T20 cricket, it's short format.
20:11And on the day, which team plays well, they win the games.
20:15And we have a bunch of players that could win a game for us.
20:21Absolutely right.
20:23That's all for today.
20:25For this show, we will come back to you when Pakistan and India clash.
20:31And we will have once again Umar Gul, who is from Pakistan, to talk about that match.