'Injured' Gul needs one-month recovery period before making bowling return

Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul will reportedly need atleast a month to make a complete recovery from his knee surgery.

According to the Daily Times, Gul, who is the most seasoned pacer in the present Pakistan team, underwent a knee surgery in May in Australia after complaining of severe pain and swelling in his right knee during the tour to South Africa early in the year.

Stating that Gul required another four to six weeks before he can get back to bowling, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) doctor Sohail Saleem said that they have just started putting pressure on both his knees, although he expressed satisfaction with Gul's rehabilitation program.

Saleem further said that they would not rush things where Gul's fitness is concerned, although Gul expressed hope that after surgery the knee would not trouble him again and allow him to bowl at full pace, adding that it had started playing up and affected his bowling form and rhythm even before South Africa.

The report further said that PCB had decided to send Gul for surgery after MRI scans confirmed tear of the posterior horn of medial meniscus with patchy bone bruising on his right knee.

Meanwhile, Gul, who has taken wickets in 163 Tests, 161 ODIs and 74 Twenty20 internationals, said that he is frustrated as he misses playing for the Pakistan team, although he added that he is now concentrating on regaining full fitness.