Pakistan pacer Umar Gul announces retirement from all forms of cricket
Karachi: Veteran Pakistan pacer Umar Gul on Saturday announced he will retire from all forms of cricket after the ongoing National T20 Cup, ending an international career spanning 17 years.
The 36-year-old Gul, who played his last match for Pakistan -- an ODI -- in 2016, featured for the Balochistan team in the National T20 Cup, which ends on Sunday.
His side lost to Southern Punjab in Rawalpindi on Friday to be out of the reckoning for the semifinals.
"With a very heavy heart and after a lot of thinking, I have decided to bid farewell to all formats of cricket after this National T20 Cup," Gul wrote on his Twitter handle.
"I have always played for Pakistan with all my heart and 100 percent of hard work. Cricket is and will always be my love and passion but all good things have to come to an end," he added.
Gul could barely hold back his tears as his Balochistan teammates gave him a guard of honour.
The pacer was diagnosed with a stress fracture of the lower back in 2004 after taking a five-for against India in a Test in Lahore and some years ago, he also suffered a knee injury, which hit his career badly.
The Peshawar-born Gul made his international debut in an ODI in 2003. He played his first Test that year itself. His last Test was against South Africa in 2013.
From 47 Test matches, Gul took 163 wickets at an average of 34.06. He also claimed 179 wickets from 130 ODIs, besides 85 wickets from 60 T20Is.
"Praying that the future will hold much more for me. Secondly, I would like to thank @TheRealPCB and all the coaches and people who have been a part of my cricketing journey. Special thanks to media, my fans and followers who made it all worthwhile n supported me at all times," he said.
Gul, who is serving as a member of the Pakistan Cricket Board's Cricket Committee, said he would like to contribute to the sport in other capacities.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my cricket, which has taught me the values of hard work, respect, commitment and determination.
"During this journey, I have had the pleasure of meeting numerous people who have helped and supported me in some way. I want to thank all those people as well as my teammates and peers for their support," the PCB quoted him as saying.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
53-year-old woman dies in house fire in North Bengaluru; three rescued
Bengaluru: A 53-year-old woman lost her life in a fire that broke out at her residence in North Bengaluru on Monday night, officials said.
The deceased has been identified as Savitha. Her husband Ramesh Babu, a contractor, their son and Savitha’s mother-in-law were rescued from the building by fire and emergency personnel.
ALSO READ: BJP names 9 candidates for RS polls, party chief Nitin Nabin to contest from Bihar
According to preliminary information, the fire started shortly after 9 pm at their house in Gayathri Nagar. The family was residing on the third and fourth floors of the building.
Initial findings suggest that the blaze originated in the kitchen on the third floor and rapidly spread to the upper level.
Firefighters rushed to the spot after receiving the alert and brought the fire under control. They managed to rescue three family members from the building.
Savitha is believed to have died due to severe burn injuries. The rescued persons were shifted to a hospital for treatment.
Police and Fire Department officials have begun an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the fire. Senior officers visited the site to assess the situation.
