Pakistani fast bowler Umar Gul weds Dubai-based doctor

Gul led the 'barat' to the Peshawar Garrison Club, where the wedding ceremony was held.
Following a colourful musical programme at the club, he took his bride home.

Sources close to Gul's family said the 'nikah' was held two days ago. The cricketer said he hoped the new phase in his life would bring him a lot of happiness.

He said an upcoming tour would also be his honeymoon. Asked by reporters to disclose the name of his bride, Gul said: "Don't ask about her name. It is not considered good in Pashtun".

Though Gul remained cagey about his bride, sources said her family hails from the militancy-hit Swat district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

Provincial Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Sports Minister Syed Aaqil Shah and local cricketers attended the ceremony.

The 'walima' or reception by the bridegroom's family will be held at Green Garden in the Army Garrison Park tomorrow night.

Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi, Younus Khan, Yasir Hameed, Fazle Akbar, Kabir Khan and Wajahatullah Wasti and national selector Farrukh Zaman are expected to attend the function.

The provincial Governor and Chief Minister too have been invited to the event.