Umar Gul joins Bangladesh as bowling coach ahead of Pakistan T20I series

Former Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul has been appointed as the bowling coach for the Bangladesh national team ahead of their upcoming five-match T20I series in Pakistan, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed.

The 42-year-old will begin his stint in May as part of a three-month contract, with potential for extension depending on performance and mutual agreement. While final terms are still being hammered out, Gul has already expressed excitement about taking on the role.

This appointment brings a seasoned campaigner into the Bangladeshi dressing room. Gul was a key figure in Pakistan’s triumphant 2009 T20 World Cup campaign, famously dismantling New Zealand with figures of 5 for 6 in the semifinal—one of the most iconic spells in T20 history. Across formats, he bagged 163 Test, 179 ODI, and 85 T20I wickets, earning a reputation as one of the fiercest exponents of reverse swing and death bowling.

This isn't Gul’s first coaching rodeo. He has previously served as bowling coach for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League, and held similar roles with Afghanistan and Pakistan’s national team. His short but impactful coaching stints have already earned him respect in the dugout.

Gul’s experience will now be tested with Bangladesh’s dynamic but often inconsistent pace unit, which includes Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Tanzim Hasan Shakib, and Khalid Hasan. With the Asia Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, the BCB hopes Gul can polish the edges of its pace arsenal.

The tour to Pakistan—originally set to feature three ODIs and three T20Is—has been reshaped into a five-match T20I series, aligning with both boards’ focus on building towards upcoming T20 World Cup. Dates and venues for the series are expected to be announced soon.