Shoaib Akhtar versus Umar Gul

[msb314]

So I got this idea from the other thread (where is seems like the common consensus was that Waqar was better then Shoaib)

But how would you compare Shoaib Akhtar to Umar Gul?

Who was better on his day in terms of impact? Longevity?

 

[Rana]

Prime Shoaib Akhtar is better than most bowlers in the world. He is very underrated because of his attitude and dumb remarks in the media. He was a genuine BIG WICKET taker when in full flow

 

[hur rizvi]

Don’t insult Akhtar

Gul was an average bowler at best, woeful in tests

 

[tyron_woodley]

wow just wow guys. what an insult to a legend like shaoib. shoaib is better than waqar and you are comparing him to gul??? are you serious.

 

[Sher Khan]

Stupid thread. Both are different type of bowlers.

Akhtar was an express pacer who made things happen even on flat tracks. His sheer pace and relentless aggression were enough to get him most of his wickets. He was an all format bowler.

Gul was a bowler that relied on reverse swing as well as seam movement(in helpful conditions.) When their was none of that on offer he could be very expensive. He was accurate and lethal with his yorkers for a small period of time. He was below average in tests and was mainly a limited overs bowler with his yorkers.

Therefore, with Akhtar being a genuine wicket taking option in all formats he is a level above Umar Gul.

 

[angrypathan]

Gul actually made the most of his abilities

 

[Titan24]

I dont think there is much comparison and stats also manifest the same. Shoaib in my eyes was one of the best the world have seen in the last two decades.

To give glimpse of how good Shoaib was he finished with the best stats amongst any Asian pacer except Imran, Wasim and Waqar across both ODIs and test with minimum 100+ wickets in both.

Gul was really good in T20s and was pretty good in ODIs too in his peak but he is not at all in the same league as Shoaib even in ODIs let alone tests. I

 

[msb314]

We all saw what happened in Mohali... how mods are even allowing this type of threads?

If you are going to bring up Mohali - then keep in mind Shoaib Akhtar didn’t even play that game...

 

[msb314]

Prime Shoaib Akhtar is better than most bowlers in the world. He is very underrated because of his attitude and dumb remarks in the media. He was a genuine BIG WICKET taker when in full flow

If we are going to mention “big wickets” - then keep in mind Gul dismissed Gambhir, Yuvraj and Dhoni in the 2007 World T20 final....

When they were in their PRIME!

 

[msb314]

Don’t insult Akhtar

Gul was an average bowler at best, woeful in tests

Gul wasnt average - he ripped apart the very best of the batsman during the first two T20 World Cup’s. Was a good player Test bowler as well early on in his career. I remember him getting a 5fer against India on a flat Lahore wicket during their tour in 2004.

He was unplayable from 2007-11 time period.

 

[coy0607]

Gul is the more accomplished bowler, did more for Pakistan. Akhtar is unquestionably more talented and more destructive.

I'm not sure how else to compare the two. Gul is an overachiever, Akhtar the underachiever