Junaid Khan (cricketer)

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Junaid Khan
Personal information
Full name
Mohammad Junaid Khan
Born (1989-12-24) 24 December 1989 (age 34)
Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
NicknameJonii
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)[1]
BattingRight-handed
BowlingLeft arm fast
RoleBowler
Relations
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 208)1 September 2011 v Zimbabwe
Last Test20 January 2014 v Sri Lanka
ODI debut (cap 181)23 April 2011 v West Indies
Last ODI17 May 2019 v England
ODI shirt no.83
T20I debut (cap 40)21 April 2011 v West Indies
Last T20I21 March 2014 v India
T20I shirt no.83
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2008/09Abbottabad Falcons
2011, 2014, 2017Lancashire
2015Middlesex
2016–2017Peshawar Zalmi (squad no. 83)
2016–2017Khulna Titans (squad no. 83)
2018Barbados Tridents (squad no. 12)
2018–presentMultan Sultans (squad no. 83)
2019/20–presentKhyber Pakhtunkhwa
2019/20Rangpur Riders
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI T20I FC
Matches 22 76 9 89
Runs scored 122 68 3 791
Batting average 7.17 4.85 9.76
100s/50s 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/2
Top score 17 25 3* 71
Balls bowled 4,605 3,601 162 16,967
Wickets 71 110 8 350
Bowling average 31.73 29.23 29.50 24.51
5 wickets in innings 5 0 0 21
10 wickets in match 0 0 0 3
Best bowling 5/38 4/12 3/24 7/46
Catches/stumpings 4/– 7/– 0/– 17/–
Source: ESPN Crickinfo, 21 August 2021
Medal record
Men's Cricket
Representing  Pakistan
South Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Dhaka Team
Champions Trophy
Winner 2017 England & Wales

Mohammad Junaid Khan (Pashto: جنید خان; born 24 December 1989) is a Pakistani international cricketer who bowls left arm fast. He is the first player from Swabi to qualify for the Pakistan national cricket team.[2] His cousin, the leg-spinner Yasir Shah, followed his path later.[3] Junaid Khan was a member of the Pakistan team that won the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.

After an injury to Sohail Tanvir on the eve of the 2011 World Cup, Khan was called up as his replacement, with no experience in international cricket. Khan did not play in the tournament, and later made his One Day International debut in April 2011. In June that year Khan represented Lancashire County Cricket Club in English domestic cricket.[citation needed]

In August 2018, he was one of 33 players to be awarded a central contract for the 2018–19 season by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).[4][5]

Career[edit]

Sighting[edit]

No cricketer had come from Swabi before and Khan did not take an interest in cricket initially. He played with tape-ball and was introduced to hard ball set up by his cousin. At age 16 he was measured as the fastest bowler in the NWFP Twenty/20 competition.[6] Khan said, "Some of my team mates suggested that I should go for the Under 17 trials Abbottabad. I was in two minds but afterwards I was relieved that I attended the trials, as Ehteshamuddin spotted me and told me that I had potential and that I should go to Lahore".[7]

Early domestic career[edit]

Khan made his first-class debut on 24 January 2007 at the age of 17. Playing for Abbottabad against Multan, his first wicket was that of Majid Majeed. The match ended in a draw and Khan finished with four wickets for 57 runs (4/57).[8] For four years he took wickets consistently for his domestic team Abbottabad and he was the team's chief strike bowler. He also played for Abbottabad Falcons in the Faysal Bank Twenty20.

In the 2008/09 season, Khan represented the Khan Research Laboratories cricket team and played for them in the final of the 2008/09 Quaid-i-Azam Trophy; he took a single wicket in the match as his team lost to Sialkot.[9] Khan also played for Pakistan A. In the unofficial Test series between Pakistan A and Sri Lanka A in 2010, Khan was his team's leading wicket-taker with ten from two matches.[10]

Selection into the Pakistan team[edit]

Following the recurrence of a knee injury to Sohail Tanvir, the uncapped Khan was added in Pakistan's squad for the 2011 World Cup.[11]

He did not play a single match in the tournament and was forced to wait for his ODI debut. When Pakistan toured the West Indies for two Tests, five ODIs, and a T20I in April and May Khan was included in the squad. On 21 April, Khan made his T20I debut and went wicketless in the match.[12]

Two days later, Khan, Mohammad Salman, and Hammad Azam made their ODI debuts against West Indies. Opening the bowling with Wahab Riaz, Khan conceded 49 runs from 10 overs without taking a wicket.[13] Pakistan won the series 3–2 and Khan finished with three wickets from five matches, making him the team's fourth highest wicket-taker.[14] His first ODI wicket was that of Marlon Samuels.[citation needed]

In May, Pakistan toured Ireland for a two-match ODI series. Khan was Man of the Match in the first fixture, taking four wickets for twelve runs to help Pakistan to a seven-wicket victory.[15] Pakistan won the series 2–0 and Khan finished as the second-highest wicket-taker for the series with six at an average of 10.83.[16][17] On the advice of former Pakistan and Lancashire all-rounder Wasim Akram, Lancashire signed Khan on "modest terms" according to coach Mike Watkinson to play for them in the Friends Life t20 in June with the possibility of playing in the County Championship.[18][19] Problems with his visa meant Khan's Lancashire debut was delayed and it was not until 27 June that he represented Lancashire for the first time in a twenty20 match.[20] Later that month Khan made his County Championship debut against Durham, stepping in for the injured Farveez Maharoof, Lancashire's other overseas player.[21] While playing for Lancashire he took career best t20 bowling figures of 3/12 against the Derbyshire Falcons.[22] During his spell with the club, Khan received advice from Akram on how to bowl in English conditions.[23]

In August, Khan was awarded a category C central contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board; six players were in category A, eight in B, and nine (including Khan) in C.[24] When Pakistan toured Zimbabwe in September for a Test three ODIs and two T20Is, the national selectors took the opportunity to give inexperienced players an opportunity. Frontline bowlers Wahab Riaz and Umar Gul were rested and Khan was chosen as part of the squad.[25][26]

Although Khan had helped Lancashire reach t20 finals days, international selection meant that Khan would be unavailable to take part and would miss the end of the season with the club.[27] On 1 September 2011, Khan made his Test debut against Zimbabwe; Pakistan's fast bowlers in the match were inexperienced, with just one Test cap between them. The coach, Waqar Younis, commented that though Khan had a successful spell with Lancashire he still had a lot to learn as a Test bowler.[28] Khan's sole wicket in the match, which Pakistan won, was that of batsman Craig Ervine caught and bowled.[29]

The following month, Pakistan played Sri Lanka in three Test, five ODIs, and a T20I. On the opening day of the Test series, on a pitch suited to batting, Khan took his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests.[30] Pakistan won the Test series 1–0, and Khan contributed 12 wickets to the victory. During the fifth ODI he suffered the first injury of his career: a partial tear of the muscles in his abdomen. As a result, he was unable to play for six weeks and missed Pakistan's tour of Bangladesh in November and December.[31] His match winning performance also came during a T20 match against England.[citation needed]

Khan was selected for the ODI squad for Australia's tour of Pakistan in UAE, August–September 2012,[32] playing his first series against Australia. However he was excluded from the T20 side, hence being excluded from the T20 World Cup being held in Sri Lanka in September. This decision was criticised to be unjustified due to the selection of fast bowler Mohammad Sami and his recent performance against Sri Lanka.[citation needed]

In December 2012, Khan was again picked for the series against India and was given a chance in the ODI series and he performed superbly by picking up 4 wickets in the first match (clean bowled Sehwag, Kohli, Yuvraj) and helped in Pakistan win in first ODI and again performed superbly in the second ODI and picked up three wickets including two top order vital wickets of Gambhir and Kohli.[citation needed] In November 2013, despite his injured shin, he successfully defended 9 runs off the final over in Port Elizabeth clinching Pakistan a 1 run win and Pakistan's first bilateral ODI series win against the Proteas.[citation needed]

He was also named in the T20I XI by ESPNcricinfo for his performances in 2013.[33]

He was also named as part of the 'Team of the Tournament' at the 2017 Champions Trophy by the ICC and Cricbuzz.[34][35]

Khan also has an impressive record against Sri Lanka, having played 13 games, 7 Tests and 6 ODIs. He has taken all four of his Test five-wicket hauls against Sri Lanka, 2 in the UAE and 2 in SL. His best innings bowling figures of 5/38 was taken against them, as well as best match figures, 8/151. Also, 48 of his international wickets have come against this particular side. He picked up his 50th Test wicket in his 14 Tests by claiming Dinesh Chandimal's wicket in the first Test against them in the UAE, in the 2013/14 season. He was also the highest wicket-taker in the ODI leg of the same tour, having 13 scalps from 5 games.[citation needed]

In April 2019, he was named in Pakistan's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.[36][37] However, on 20 May 2019, he was dropped from Pakistan's squad, after they announced their final team for the tournament.[38][39]

Later domestic career[edit]

In April 2018, he was named in Sindh's squad for the 2018 Pakistan Cup.[40][41] He was the joint-leading wicket-taker for Sindh during the tournament, with six dismissals in three matches.[42] In 2019, he was recalled to the Pakistan team.[43]

In September 2019, he was named in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's squad for the 2019–20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy tournament.[44][45]

Bowling style[edit]

Although, I have done well in T20s around the world, I want to focus on test cricket. I believe that T20 cricket spoils a player's technique and disables him from playing test matches. I got offers from the BPL and the SLPL, but I rejected them just for the sake of test cricket[sic].

— Talking with GEO tv in 2013[46]

Khan modelled his bowling action on that of fellow left-arm fast-bowler Wasim Akram. He was also influenced by watched clips of Imran Khan bowling.[47] In his own words, Khan is "a line and length bowler" and he believes that "if you try to be accurate and you bowl a tight line the wickets will follow." According to Khan, he usually bowls around 140 to 142 km/h (87 to 88 mph).[48] He has the ability to swing the ball into and away from batsmen.[49] Khan stated that during his time with Lancashire County Cricket Club he learned how to bowl a yorker and how to use swing and seam.[23] Khan also bowls with an exaggerated skip and jump at the start of his run up.[50]

County cricket[edit]

Khan played 8 T20 games for Lancashire in 2011, taking 12 wickets, including a 3–12 spell against Derbyshire.

In early 2013, Khan received offers from three county clubs: Lancashire, Surrey and Sussex.[51][52] He said he would think about them after the Test series in South Africa, and getting clearance from the PCB. Later on, he turned down all offers to focus on the Champion's Trophy 2013.

On 23 April 2014, Lancashire confirmed that Khan would be returning to play in both the NatWest T20 blast and the Royal London One Day Cup.

On 24 July 2015, it was announced by tribune.com.pk that Middlesex had signed Khan for the 2015 Royal London One-Day Cup.

Cricket administration[edit]

In January 2023, he became part of a selection committee for domestic age-group teams, headed by former international player Kamran Akmal, conducting trials for the selection of the U-13, U-16 and U-19 regional and district sides.[53]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Junaid Khan's profile on Sportskeeda
  2. ^ "Pak bowler Junaid's action questionable: Basit Ali – Rediff.com Cricket". Rediff.com. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  3. ^ Ali, Liaqat (15 October 2014). "Rookie spinner Yasir Shah in preliminary squad". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 29 September 2022. Yasir, a cousin to fast-bowler Junaid, is a fast-emerging spinner on domestic level.
  4. ^ "PCB Central Contracts 2018–19". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  5. ^ "New central contracts guarantee earnings boost for Pakistan players". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Junaid Khan - the Talent Spotter - pakpassion.net". Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  7. ^ ""Kohli said that he would hit me to all parts of the park!" Junaid Khan". Pakpassion.net. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  8. ^ f49863 Multan v Abbottabad: Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Silver League 2006/07, CricketArchive, retrieved 7 June 2011
  9. ^ "f51480 Sialkot v Khan Research Laboratories: Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2008/09 (Final)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  10. ^ Records/Pakistan A in Sri Lanka unofficial Test Series, 2010/Most wickets, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 31 October 2011
  11. ^ Sohail Tanvir out of the World Cup, ESPNcricinfo, 9 February 2011, retrieved 25 April 2011
  12. ^ T20I no. 199 Pakistan in West Indies T20I Match: West Indies v Pakistan, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 25 April 2011
  13. ^ ODI no. 3152 Pakistan in West Indies ODI Series – 1st ODI: West Indies v Pakistan, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 1 June 2016
  14. ^ Records/Pakistan in West Indies ODI Series, 2011/Most wickets, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 12 July 2011
  15. ^ Junaid Khan stars in easy Pakistan win, ESPNcricinfo, 1 June 2016, retrieved 3 June 2011
  16. ^ Records/Pakistan in Ireland ODI Series, 2011/Most wickets, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 1 June 2016
  17. ^ Siggins, Ger (31 May 2011), What lies ahead for Ireland?, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 1 June 2016
  18. ^ Lancashire sign Junaid Khan, ESPNcricinfo, 7 June 2011, retrieved 1 June 2016
  19. ^ Lancashire sign Pakistan seamer Junaid Khan, BBC Sport, 7 June 2011, retrieved 12 July 2011
  20. ^ Hardcastle, Graham (27 June 2011), "New boy Junaid Khan can't prevent Lancs T20 woe", Manchester Evening News, retrieved 1 June 2016
  21. ^ Ostick, Chris (28 June 2011), "Lancs skittled for 84 then launch fightback on day of chaos", Manchester Evening News, retrieved 1 June 2016
  22. ^ tt2307 Lancashire v Derbyshire: Friends Life t20 2011 (North Division), CricketArchive, retrieved 1 June 2016
  23. ^ a b Junaid aims to fill void left by Amir, ESPNcricinfo, 18 October 2011, retrieved 1 June 2016
  24. ^ No central contracts for Afridi, Kamran Akmal, ESPNcricinfo, 8 August 2011, retrieved 1 June 2016
  25. ^ Raja, Cheema, Sohail included in squad for Zimbabwe, ESPNcricinfo, 28 July 2011, retrieved 1 June 2016
  26. ^ Pakistan looking for reserve pacemen – Mohsin Khan, ESPNcricinfo, 31 July 2011, retrieved 1 June 2016
  27. ^ Ostick, Chris (10 August 2011), "Junaid Khan call-up rocks Lancs' final hopes", Manchester Evening News, retrieved 1 June 2016
  28. ^ Moond, Firdose (4 September 2011), Waqar praises bowlers for creating pressure, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 1 June 2016
  29. ^ f53345 t2006 Zimbabwe v Pakistan: Pakistan in Zimbabwe 2011 (Only Test), CricketArchive, retrieved 1 June 2016
  30. ^ Purohit, Abhishek (18 October 2011), Junaid's five-for caps Pakistan's day, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 1 June 2016
  31. ^ Farooq, Umar (10 December 2011), Junaid ready to begin training again, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 1 June 2016
  32. ^ Pakistan ODI Squad, Austriala's tour of the United Arab Emirates, ESPNcricinfo, 13 August 2012, retrieved 1 June 2016
  33. ^ "AB, Ajmal and Co".
  34. ^ "Live Cricket Scores & News International Cricket Council". Archived from the original on 22 June 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  35. ^ "Champions Trophy 2017: Team of the tournament". Cricbuzz.
  36. ^ "Mohammad Amir left out of Pakistan's World Cup squad". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  37. ^ "Amir left out of Pakistan's World Cup squad". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  38. ^ "Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Asif Ali included in Pakistan World Cup squad". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  39. ^ "Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz named in Pakistan's World Cup squad". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  40. ^ "Pakistan Cup one-day tournament to begin in Faisalabad next week". Geo TV. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  41. ^ "Pakistan Cup Cricket from 25th". The News International. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  42. ^ "Pakistan Cup 2018, Sindh: Batting and bowling averages". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  43. ^ "Junaid and Akmal recalled". EspnCricinfo.
  44. ^ "PCB announces squads for 2019-20 domestic season". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  45. ^ "Sarfaraz Ahmed and Babar Azam to take charge of Pakistan domestic sides". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  46. ^ Gollapudi, Nagraj (7 August 2010). "Ajmal proves his Test credentials". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  47. ^ "Junaid Khan hopes to make a mark after Amir ban", Dawn, 22 February 2011, retrieved 11 July 2011
  48. ^ Junaid Khan: I've been clocked at around 140 to 142 km/h, Cricistan.com, hosted by CricketArchive, 17 March 2011, retrieved 7 June 2011
  49. ^ "Chief selector backs 'surprise package' Junaid Khan", Dawn, 9 February 2011, archived from the original on 21 November 2011, retrieved 10 July 2011
  50. ^ "Junaid Khan swinging back to his best". Cricbuzz. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  51. ^ "Junaid Khan says no to County offers". The Nation. 3 April 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  52. ^ "Junaid Khan focused on doing well". The Nation. 21 January 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  53. ^ "Kamran to pick junior teams for regions, districts". Dawn News. 31 January 2023.

External links[edit]