On this day in 2009: Umar Gul’s fifer blows New Zealand away
Umar Gul used to be one of Pakistan’s lethal pacers in 2000s and had the ability to single-handedly run through any batting line-up with his pace and accuracy. Gul survived some tough competition in the national team from the likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami, etc. to establish himself.
Gul has also showcased many incredible bowling performances in his illustrious career, one of which came on this very day in 2009 against a resurgent New Zealand side in the T20 World Cup in England.
When Umar Gul’s fiery spell rattled the Kiwi batting line-up
Pakistan and New Zealand locked horns in the ICC T20 World Cup 2009 group stage encounter at the Kennington Oval in London. New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum won the toss and elected to bat first.
Nonetheless, Gul proved that it was indeed a good toss to lose for the Men in Green. The Kiwis suffered an awkward batting collapse on a pitch that saw the Pakistan bowlers making the ball talk exceptionally well. In fact, it was Gul who accounted for half of the Black Caps’ side.
The Peshawar cricketer first made his presence felt on the field by taking the catch of opener Aaron Redmond before he made an everlasting impact in the wickets column. The tall pacer went on to dismiss the likes of Scott Styris, Peter McGlashan, Nathan McCullum, James Franklin, and Kyle Mills to finish with figures of 5/6 from his three overs at an economy rate of two as the Kiwis were bundled out for a paltry 99.
Pakistan easily overhauled this total despite losing their top-order courtesy of a middle-order resistance from Shahid Afridi (29*) and skipper Younis Khan (6*). The eventual champions registered a six-wicket win with 41 balls to spare. Umar Gul was adjudged the Player of the Match for his outstanding fifer.
Pakistan eventually went on to win their first and only T20 World Cup by beating Sri Lanka at the ‘Mecca’ of Cricket Lord’s a few days later. Meanwhile, Gul, who was in prime form in the shortest format back then, finished as the leading wicket-taker for a second straight time in T20 World Cup.
At the same time, this spell also made Gul the first-ever bowler to register a five-wicket haul in T20Is. He held the record of best bowling figures in T20s for two more years before being surpassed by Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis who registered figures of 6/16 in August 2011.
