Young paceman Umar Gul, who claimed his career first five-wicket haul to put Pakistan in the driver's seat in the second Test against India in Lahore on Monday said he was not overawed by the formidable Indian batting line-up and described batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar's wicket as "special."
"All the batsmen were the same to me. I did not think about anything else, I just tried to get their wickets. Of course to get somebody like Tendulkar out is always going to be special," said Gul who captured his career best 5 wickets for 31 runs to reduce India to 287 in the first innings.
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"It is a good feeling to get five wickets. I just followed the instructions of Javed bhai and Inzamam bhai. They told me to bowl wicket to wicket and I am happy that it bore fruits," he said.
The 19-year-old's performance was all the more laudable as he was told about his inclusion in place of Shabbir Ahmed only in the morning.
"I was told in the morning that I will play the match. Last night Javed bhai had told all the players to be mentally prepared to play, so I was prepared."
Gul, however, said "I was not tensed since I had mentally prepared myself for this crucial match. I just wanted to do well for my country, and I am happy that it turned out that way."
He said the failure of the frontline Pakistan fast bowlers in the first Test did not affect his confidence going into the match.
"Before the start of the match, I did not have that much confidence. But once I started taking the wickets, my confidence level grew."
Team manager Haroon Rashid also praised Gul, saying he was one of the bright pace prospects for Pakistan.
"Gul has the potential. He capitalised on the opportunity and bowled brilliantly."
Asked whether not selecting Gul for the one-dayers and the first Test in Multan was a mistake on the part of the team management, Rashid said "you always give priority to your top bowlers who have won matches for you in the past. Only if they fail, you look to the back up bowlers."
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