Pakistan's 'Gul-dozer' Umar Gul quits after 'memorable' 17-year career

World Cup winner gets guard of honour in final game

Pakistani cricketer Umar Gul holds a ball before the start of his final match in Rawalpindi on October 16, 2020. AFP

Teammates and opponents give a guard of honour to Pakistani cricketer Umar Gul during the National T20 Cup in Rawalpindi on October 16, 2020. AFP

Umar Gul celebrates taking the wicket of England's Michael Vaughan during the Natwest Challenge match at Old Trafford in 2003. Getty

Pakistan's Umar Gul signs autographs during a match against New Zealand in 2004. Getty

Umar Gul warms up during at the Oval in 2006. Getty

Gul of Pakistan celebrates the wicket of Marcus Trescothick in 2006. Getty

Umar Gul of Pakistan claps off AB de Villiers in Karachi, Pakistan, in 2007. Getty

Umar Gul in action during a Twenty20 match between India and Pakistan at The Oval in 2009. Getty

Umar Gul celebrates the wicket of England's Owais Shah during the Twenty20 World Cup match in 2009. Getty

Umar Gul poses with his man of the match award after the World Twenty20 match against New Zealand in 2009. Getty

Younis Khan and Umar Gul at Lord's in 2009. Getty

Umar Gul celebrates taking the wicket of Chamara Silva of Sri Lanka during the World Twenty20 Final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Lord's on June 21, 2009. Getty

Umar Gul sweeps during day one of the Third Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan in Napier, New Zealand, in 2009. Getty

Umar Gul celebrates after claiming the wicket of Shane Watson of Australia in 2010. Getty

Umar Gul in action at Lords in 2010. Getty

Umar Gul of Pakistan hits out during day two of the first Test between England and Pakistan at Trent Bridge on July 30, 2010 in Nottingham, England. Getty

Umar Gul and Umar Akmal of Pakistan celebrate their win against the New Zealand in 2011 in Wellington. Getty

Shahid Afridi directs Umar Gul during the Pakistan v Sri Lanka 2011 World Cup match at the R. Premadasa Stadium on February 26, 2011 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Getty

Umar Gul celebrates winning the second Test match between Pakistan and England at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on January 28, 2012 in Abu Dhabi. Getty

Umar Gul of Pakistan celebrates after dismissing Alex Hales of England during a one-day international at the Ageas Bowl on August 24, 2016. Getty

Pakistan bowler Umar Gul, who earned the nickname 'Gul-dozer' for his rattling of stumps, has called time on his 17-year cricket career.

With no crowds to bid farewell to the national hero because of coronavirus restrictions, the Twenty20 World Cup winner bowed out to a guard of honour from teammates and opponents after his final match - a disappointing defeat - in Rawalpindi on Friday.

"I want to be remembered as someone who tried his best for the country and it's flattering that I was called 'Gul-dozer' during this memorable journey in cricket," the 36-year-old told AFP.

It was a topsy-turvy journey for Gul, whose affair with cricket began on the crowded streets of Peshawar.

He entered the international arena exactly a month after the legendary pace duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis retired following Pakistan's disastrous 2003 World Cup.

It was like the baton of swing bowling had been passed from one generation to another, Gul recalled.

"It was tough to fill those shoes but I tried my best and it was great to lead Pakistan to the final of the Twenty20 World Cup in 2007 and then to the title two years later," he said.

He finished with 163 Test and 179 ODI wickets, but he achieved his greatest success in Twenty20 cricket, the start of his career coinciding with the launch of the shortest format in 2003.

Gul was at his destructive best in England in 2009, finishing as the top wicket taker of the Twenty20 World Cup with 13. That included a mesmerising five wickets for just six runs in the semi-final win over New Zealand.

"Winning the World Cup was the highest point of my career," he said. "I remember those were very tough days and there was unrest in our country so our win brought smiles back on the faces."

At the time, Pakistan's military was fighting an insurgency from militants in the northwestern region of the country.

Gul attributes his Twenty20 skills to the early days of his love for the game.

"I grew up playing 20-20-over matches in the streets and then Ramadan cricket where you look for wickets in a 20-over innings," he said.

But his baptism was in Test cricket, where he became an instant hero in 2004.

In only his fifth Test, Gul destroyed a star-studded Indian batting order in a Lahore Test with figures of 5-21. His victims included the great Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman.

The feat almost halted a burgeoning career, causing a stress fracture in his back.

He later featured in the inaugural Indian Premier League in 2008, topping the chart for the Kolkata Knight Riders with 12 wickets in six games - the only time Pakistan players were allowed to feature in the world's most lucrative league.

But the 2011 World Cup semi-final against India - in the one-day format - turned out to be the most bitter of his career.

He was targeted by the top order and finished with figures of 0-69 in eight overs for the match in Mohali, India.

"Before that match I was the top wicket taker for my team so India targeted me and to add to that we lost that match," Gul reminisced.

With his playing years now behind him, next for Gul is a move into coaching: "I will try to make new Bulldozers for my country... it is my duty to the nation."