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Pakistan’s experienced all-rounder Shahid Afridi believes that the return of paceman Umar Gul after injury has boosted his team’s chances in the upcoming World Cup that will start next month in the West Indies.

“We have been facing difficult time since last months ahead of our World Cup campaign due to injury scare of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Yousuf. But the positive news about Umar is a great omen for team before the global event,” Afridi told reporters here on Friday night at local hotel.

The 24-year-old Gul, who returned home from Pakistan’s tour of South Africa with an ankle injury that threatened him to rule out of the quadrennial spectacle, featured in Pakistan’s tune-up camp for the World Cup, which started on Friday in Lahore.

Afridi said after regaining full fitness, Umar could prove to be the trump card for Pakistan in the World Cup.

“He (Umar) has been in superb form and after regaining fitness, he could proved to be the key player in our Cup success,” Afridi hoped.

On his own preparation’s, the Khyber Agency-born swashbuckler said that he is working hard on all the three departments of the game to be valuable asset for Pakistan.

“I am working hard on all batting, bowling and fielding departments and will try my best to help my team winning the prestigious tournament,” he expressed.
Source:The News