“In our culture, the problem is that…” - Umar Gul opens up on workload management debate

Former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul has opened up on the workload management debate, stating the issues in the Pakistan cricketing system that players were ready to play even if they were 70 to 80 percent fit during their playing days.

Notably, the Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah caught the limelight for picking and choosing games in the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, playing only three out of the five Tests to manage his workload.

"Unfortunately, in our (Pakistan cricket's) system, in our culture, the problem is that when we also used to play, any senior player was hesitant. If he's even 70-80% fit, he would say, ‘I want to play'. This was because if another player comes in and performs, then a rotation policy is not in our culture. We only look at the performance: this new guy has performed, so bring him in and let him play. So, I think this trust should be developed (in Pakistan cricket culture) and the rotation policy should be there. Your priority should be the senior player when he gets fit, you should play him," Umar Gul said on PTV Sports.

Furthermore, Gull also asserted that it’s the responsibility of the cricketers and the team management to assess the workload and injuries and come up with a proper recovery plan for them.

"Players also have a responsibility, so does the management, even your trainers and your medical staff. Both sides have a responsibility (when it comes to injuries and rehab). I'll say the player's responsibility is because if a player is injured, he himself knows the most about how he is feeling from the inside. What caused the injury? The doctor will tell you and will inform you that you should rest for two weeks, or five weeks. But the players themselves know from the inside how much rest they need and when they are ready," he added.

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