HARD AT WORK: Junaid has been working hard in the nets to ensure that his fitness levels do not suffer due to the knee injury that kept him out against Australia and New Zealand. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: Part of the 2011 World Cup squad for India as an exciting young 21-year-old prospect, Junaid Khan will now be looking to make up for not being given a chance by spearheading Pakistan in Australia and New Zealand.
“I couldn’t get a chance to play in the 2011 World Cup but now I have the opportunity to make the difference,” he said. “I got selected four years back because I was good but couldn’t break into the playing eleven. There are things which I learned from the seniors and that will help me now.”
Recovered from Injury
A knee injury forced Junaid to miss the series against Australia and New Zealand. However, he has recovered from the blow and was selected in the 15-man squad after convincing the selectors of his fitness in the ongoing Pentangular Cup.
“I can’t wait to go out and do well for Pakistan again after being side-lined for several months due to the knee injury,” Junaid told The Express Tribune. “We’ve got two important assignments coming up with two one-dayers against New Zealand and then the World Cup. It is important to focus on ODIs against New Zealand to get the momentum under our belt.”
Shouldering responsibility
In a short span of time, Junaid has become Pakistan’s pace spearhead due to the suspensions of Muhammad Amir and Muhammad Asif and the fading away of more senior bowlers such as Umar Gul and Muhammad Sami.
Others such as Muhammad Irfan and Wahab Riaz have emerged but Junaid still very much remains Pakistan’s main strike fast-bowler. And he now has extra responsibility to make sure that Saeed Ajmal’s absence is not felt in the World Cup and is looking forward to it.
“The responsibilities on the other bowlers have increased after match-winner Ajmal was banned and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he added. “Bowlers hunt in pairs and I’ve developed a good partnership with Irfan, so hopefully we will be able to provide important breakthroughs to the team.”
In Wasim Akram’s footsteps
Junaid says he will be looking to emulate the feats of fellow left-armer Wasim Akram in the 1992 World Cup. “My aim is to get wickets on crucial occasions just like Akram did in 1992,” he said. “I’m not aiming to become the best bowler of the World Cup but a bowler who could win matches for Pakistan by bowling according to the requirements of my team, even if it means getting a single wicket.”
Pakistan’s potent pace attack
The 25-year-old believes that Pakistan have a potent and diverse pace-bowling attack in Irfan, Ehsan Adil, Sohail Khan, Wahab and himself; and with separate new balls to be used from both ends, Pakistan could surprise everyone.
“Our pace attack is very dynamic because we’ve got Irfan who has got extra bounce, me and Ehsan can move the ball, while we also have lethal pace in the form of Wahab and Sohail. I can see Pakistan getting into the top two because two new balls will help us,” said Junaid.
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We have an amazing bowling attack for the WC. Irfan and Junaid make an explosive pair!
Junaid Khan is the best choice according to my point of view. He is the best bowler who took some awesome wickets in India Match. Such an amazing bowler and his selection is best. Umer Gul is missing but Junaid will definitely cover his position.