LAHORE, Nov 15: Pakistan’s new ball pair of Umar Gul and Shahid Nazir, who played a pivotal role in the first Test win over the West Indies here at the Gaddafi Stadium, drew special praise from ex-Test skipper Intikhab Alam.

Intikhab, also a former manager and coach of national team, said on Wednesday that it was heartening to see Umar and Shahid performing exceptionally well in the absence of dope-tainted fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif.

Hats off to both Umar and Shahid for bowling so well in the first Test. They are much-improved bowlers now. It was a pleasant surprise for Pakistan that they captured 15 of the 19 West Indian to fall in Test, Intikhab told Dawn.

Lauding the fine performance put in by Umar Gul, the 22-year-old seamer from Peshawar, Intikhab said he was much fitter compared to his early days in international cricket when he was laid low by stress fracture in the back.

Umar looked in great shape during the first Test here. Not only that has he improved in leaps and bounds, he is a quality bowler who bowls close to the stump and has a high-arm action.

“I am sure on more helpful surfaces, he will create havoc because he doesn’t go overboard and bowls within himself,” Intikhab observed.