Profile of Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan

Profile of Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan, with his ability to swing the ball at a good pace has made a name for himself in the international arena and has helped Pakistan to win games by consistently taking wickets. He came through the ranks by playing for Abbottabad, a team that has struggled to make an impact in Pakistan's domestic circuit. Junaid though, bowled with a great heart for Abbottabad and ended up becoming their strike bowler. 

Junaid then, showed his class with a superb performance in a 'Test' match for Pakistan A against Sri Lanka A in Hambantota. In a low-scoring thriller, Junaid picked up nine wickets in the match, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings. Despite Pakistan A losing the match, his superlative performance came into prominence. Following an injury to Sohail Tanvir, he was chosen in Pakistan's 2011 World Cup squad, but did not feature in any of the games. 

He got his chance in the series against the West Indies, following the World Cup. He bowled with good control, but seemed to lack penetration. As the tour ended, he showed more ability with the ball and he shone brightly during the trip to Ireland, where he picked up his career-best ODI figures of 4/12. He went on to pick six wickets in the series at an average 10.83. 

Lancashire then, signed Junaid to play for them in the Friends Life T20 competition. After sorting out a few visa problems, he played against Durham and impressed everyone by dismissing Paul Collingwood and finishing the match with 2/20. Junaid picked the tricks of the trade by playing in England and became a strike bowler for Pakistan in the 50-over format. He snaffled 13 wickets against India in just five games in 2012-13 with his top performance being 4/43 in the match played in Chennai. 

However, Junaid's Test career has been clouded with injuries. During the crucial tour of South Africa in 2013, Junaid was sidelined due to an injury and he could only play the last Test. However, he has managed to take three five-wicket hauls in that format. Interestingly, all of those fine spells have come against Sri Lanka. He picked up his 50th wicket in his 14th Test by claiming Dinesh Chandimal's wicket in the first match of the series in UAE, in the 2013-14 season. 

In November 2013, Junaid successfully defended nine runs in the final over despite an injured shin to help Pakistan secure a thrilling one-run win against South Africa. This great victory helped them to achieve their first bilateral ODI series win against South Africa. He was also brilliant against Sri Lanka, ending up as the highest wicket-taker in the ODI series with 13 wickets in five matches. He was not able to recreate the magic though, in the 2014 Asia Cup. 

Junaid was troubled by a spate of injuries in 2014. He twisted his knee during a fielding drill on the eve of the first ODI against Australia in October. He was asked to rest for four to six weeks and during this period, Junaid missed both the series against Australia and New Zealand. The selectors picked him for the 2015 World Cup, but a hamstring injury ruled him out of the showpiece event. 

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