Former Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul has raised concerns about the absence of a proper rotation policy in the country’s cricket setup ahead of the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025 on September 14.
Speaking on PTV’s Game On Hai, Gul said Pakistan’s cricket culture often compels senior players to play despite not being fully fit, out of fear of losing their place in the team. He argued that such practices hurt both the players and the side in the long run.
“Unfortunately, in our system, when we used to play, any senior player—even if only 70–80% fit—would insist on playing. This was because if another player came in and performed well, there was no rotation policy in place. We only looked at performance, not player management,” Gul said.
The former pacer contrasted Pakistan’s situation with India’s, crediting the Indian team management for implementing structured workload and injury management practices. Citing the example of Jasprit Bumrah, he noted that Indian players are given full recovery time and are rotated to preserve fitness for major tournaments.
“I think India have a system. Even if the rehab is for five or six weeks, they give an extra week to ensure full recovery. Plus, the most important thing is rotation. Bumrah, for instance, is rested and only played in big ICC events, which keeps him fresh and effective. That’s the confidence a system builds,” Gul added.
The remarks come just days before the arch-rivals face off in Dubai, with both teams looking to start their Asia Cup campaigns on a strong note.
