Gul gives Pakistan much-needed victory

LONDON (AP):

Umar Gul provided Pakistan with a rare glimmer of joy on their troubled tour of England, as his six-wicket haul clinched a 23-run victory over the home side in the third one-day international yesterday.

The fast bowler single-handedly thwarted England's chance of taking an unassailable 3-0 series lead in the five-match series, after Pakistan had been restricted to a modest 241 all out after opting to bat.

"I thought that our total was not enough - I thought we were short by about 30 or 40 runs, but a good side can defend any total," Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said.

"Umar Gul was amazing, it was perfect but (Abdul) Razzaq and Saeed Ajmal also bowled really well. We can definitely win this series."

England captain Andrew Strauss was frustrated that Gul, who took six for 42 off 10 overs, was able to take four of his wickets for six runs in 18 balls as he posted career-best figures.

"It went wrong with the bat - chasing 240 you back yourself to win at The Oval, but it was an outstanding spell from Gul," Strauss said. "We are disappointed and it leaves a sour taste in the mouth, but credit to Pakistan. Gul got the ball reversing both ways and that is always tough to deal with.

"You don't want to be in a position where a bowler gets six wickets, but we will do a debrief and try and learn the lessons, but you have to give credit to the way Pakistan defended that total."

Earlier, only Fawad Alam shone for Pakistan, posting a half century and reaching a career-best 64, including three boundaries, before being caught by England captain Andrew Strauss, while James Anderson was the pick of the bowlers with 3-26.