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Karachi: Pakistan's experienced pace bowler Umar Gul is racing against time to get fit for the fourth and final Test against England commencing at Lord's from Thursday.
Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed confirmed from London that Gul had recovered 90 per cent from his hamstring injury that ruled him out of the third Test, which Pakistan won at the Oval last week.
"He has recovered well and looks certain to play in the one-day series next month. But we will know in next 24 hours if he can also be fit for the fourth Test as well," Yawar said.
Gul, one of Pakistan's most experienced bowlers, picked up the hamstring injury during the second Test at Edgbaston and has been advised rest for three to four weeks.
But Yawar said the pace bowler had made a rapid recovery from his injury and would undergo fresh fitness tests and MRI scans.
"He has started bowling in the nets as well and is quite desperate to play in the fourth Test. But we have to be 100 per cent sure he is completely fit as he is a key member for the one-day series as well," he said.
Incidentally, Wahab Riaz who debuted at the Oval as a replacement for Gul made a big impact taking five wickets in the first innings and captain Salman Butt has admitted even if Gul was fit he didn't guarantee him a place in the team for the fourth Test.
"Wahab has bowled well in his debut Test and he troubled all the batsmen, so we will have to see how it goes. But it will certainly be a hard choice for us between the two," Butt said.
Pakistan has already lost reserve wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider to a finger injury in the series and he was sent back home after the second Test as he was advised rest for three to four weeks.
