On second thoughts, is Umar Gul the greatest T20I bowler ever produced?

Umar Gul retires from all form of cricket. The headlines read everywhere. The 36-year-old called it quits recently post his team’s last game in the National T20 cup, one of the World’s oldest T20 leagues.

Umar Gul is one of those bowlers who went wicketless in his first and last T20I match. But what he did in between those two matches makes him one of the finest T20I bowlers ever produced.

In his 11-year T20I career that began in 2007, Gul picked up 85 wickets at an unbelievable average of 16.9. His bowling average is still one of the best for a pacer with a minimum of 50 wickets. He is the second-highest wicket-taker and the best among pacers for his country in T20Is

Most wickets for Pakistan in T20I

It all started in the inaugural T20 World Cup where Gul set the stage on fire by picking up 13 wickets at a mindboggling economy of 5.6. He played a pivotal role in his team’s qualification to the finals including a three-wicket haul in the semi-finals and the final of the 2007 T20 World Cup. With two three-fer and one four-fer, it is no surprise that he finished as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.

Most wickets in 2007 ICC T20 World Cup

The following T20 World Cup was no different for Umar Gul. He continued breathing fire and ended up as the leading wicket taker in the tournament with 13 wickets, again. This time he ensured that his team got hold of the trophy too. It was in this tournament that Umar Gul picked up the first ever five wicket haul in a T20 international. It has been eleven years since the monumental feat but his figures of 5/6 is still regarded as one of the best bowling spells in a T20 World Cup.

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Most wickets in 2009 ICC T20 World Cup

Gul was the first pace bowler to pick a five-wicket haul twice in T20I cricket. No other bowler has dominated the record charts as much as Gul has for Pakistan in T20Is.His bowling spells feature thrice in the best bowling figure list for Pakistan in T20Is. He is also one among very few bowlers to have picked a five-wicket haul in all three formats of the game.

Best bowling figures for Pakistan in T20I

From his first T20I till his last in 2016, he picked up 85 wickets, the most by a fast bowler in the same timeline. He has always been an inspiring player for his side and has contributed a major chunk in Pakistan’s victory in T20I over the years.

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Umar Gul – Impact on Results in T20I

In his illustrious career, he has picked up wickets in almost all the countries except his own. In his defence, he played only one T20I at home but ended up with no returns.

Umar Gul – Performance based on venue in T20I

With his unswerving performance, Umar Gul achieved a rating of 857 in T20I rankings, which is till date the highest a bowler has ever accumulated. In the top 10 all-time T20I bowling ratings, Gul is the lone pacer in the elite list therefore adding more weight to his contribution in T20Is.

All time bowling rankings [Highest T20I Ranking]

With his stand out performances for his team and his contribution to the game, Umar Gul will surely go down as one of the best pacers for his country in the shortest format. Even though he might have ended his 17-year career, his stats will be etched in the cricket books forever.