Pakistan gets a boost as Umar Gul clears fitness test

Lahore, Feb 27 (UNI) Plagued by injuries, drug scandals and controversies, Pakistan finally have some reasons to smile as medium pacer Umar Gul cleared the fitness test to throw himself in the fray for the World Cup.

Pakistan's pace attack for the showpiece event is yet to take a final shape and uncertainty surrounds the dope-tainted pace duo of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, who are currently in London, reportedly to cleanse their system of drug traces.

Two days before the team's departure for the West Indies, Gul, battling an ankle injury, and a few other team mates, have passed yesterday's stringent fotness test to bolster the attack.

''All our players who appeared in the training camp, including Umar Gul, have been cleared for the World Cup,'' said team's media manager PJ Mir.

''It was a demanding test but we are happy that everyone cleared it, '' he added.

The PCB Medical Commission supervises the physical test here yesterday and they put the players through drills to assess their fitness level and the experts were happy with the outcome.

Meanwhile, Shoaib and Asif are expected to return to the country tomorrow after their ''treatment'' in London.

''Shoaib had some fitness issues for which he needs medical treatment and we will know about their situation latest by tomorrow,'' Mir said.

UNI