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Afghanistan Cricket Board extends Umar Gul's contract, appoints him as bowling coach

Former Pakistan right-arm pacer Umar Gul has been appointed bowling coach of the Afghanistan cricket team.


Gul, who replaced his former teammate Abdul Razzaq as bowling coach of Quetta Gladiators last year, will kickstart his tenure when Afghanistan lock horns with Zimbabwe during their white-ball tour of the African nation next month.


Back in April, Gul was roped in by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in a capacity of a bowling consultant during a training camp in the United Arab Emirates.


The ACB was impressed with the work that the former Pakistan pacer did with Afghanistan bowlers and eventually decided to hand him a permanent contract.


The former Pakistan pacer will have his former teammate Younis Khan for company, with the former batter roped in as batting coach of the Afghanistan team.


"Gul worked with the fast bowlers in our national line-up, and considering his effectiveness in the camp as well as based on the need, it was decided to offer him a permanent contract as the national team's bowling coach," said the Afghanistan Cricket Board on Wednesday while confirming the development.


Gul made his debut for Pakistan in 2003, and over the course of the next 13 years, the seam and swing bowler went on to represent his country in 47 Tests (163 wickets @ 34.06), 130 ODIs (179 wickets @ 29.34) and 60 T20Is, claiming 85 wickets at an average of 16.97 and an economy rate of 7.19.


The right-arm pacer last played for Pakistan during an ODI in England back in 2016. He announced his retirement from international cricket in October 2020.


The Afghanistan men's team will travel to Zimbabwe to take part in three ICC ODI Super League 50-over games and three T20Is, respectively, between June 4-14. All the games will take place at the Harare Sports Club.


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