By James Standley

Gul played all three of Pakistan's matches at the World Cup

Gloucestershire have expressed frustration at the news that the Pakistan Cricket Board will not let pace bowler Umar Gul join the club.

"This is disappointing news," Gloucestershire chief executive Tom Richardson told BBC Sport.

"We've been trying over the last few days to secure Umar Gul's release.

"We're still hopeful we'll be able to get him over here for a period of time this summer. That said we are, of course, looking at alternatives."

Zakir Khan, director of cricket operations for the PCB, said Gul and fellow paceman Mohammad Asif were both struggling for fitness.

"The bowlers have faced fitness problems and it hit the performance of the team. For the moment we have told them not to accept any contracts," he said.

Gul has taken 61 wickets in only 14 Test matches, claiming 5-31 against India in 2004 and collecting 18 wickets in the four completed Tests in England last summer.

He played in all three matches during Pakistan's disastrous World Cup campaign, which ended at the group stage, claiming four wickets at an average of 18 from 23 overs.

Earlier this year Gloucestershire signed Ashley Noffke to cover for Gul for the early part of the summer as the Pakistan paceman was expected to be involved in the Super 8 stage in the West Indies.