Junaid says he is up for the challenge
Sydney:Irafan set to leave the Pakistan ODI squad in Australia and fly back home following the death of his mother, a PCB spokesman has said. The selectors have named Junaid Khan as his replacement, giving the 27-year-old a chance to play international cricket for the first time since June 2015.
Irfan, 34, has not played for Pakistan since September last year, when he picked up cramps in both legs five overs into an ODI against England in Headingley. He worked on his fitness thereafter, but was not picked for the home series against West Indies in the UAE or the away tour of New Zealand.
Instead, left-arm fast bowler and WAPDA team-mate Junaid replaces him and will make a comeback of his own. Junaid had taken 78 wickets at 27.52 in 52 ODIs and had briefly spearheaded Pakistan’s attack before he was dropped. He took six wickets in seven games in the recently-concluded Departmental One Day Cup, before taking 4 for 31 for Peshawar in the Regional One Day Cup on Tuesday.
He joins Pakistan’s four other fast bowlers, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz – both of whom buckled under heavy workloads in the 3-0 Test whitewash – Rahat Ali and Hasan Ali.
Having bowled more than 150 overs in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy, Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament, and helping his side Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) to the title, Irfan won the Mediaroval of the selectors to play the five ODIs against Australia set to begin in Brisbane on Friday. Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said the 14 players were chosen “keeping in mind the conditions in Australia” where his ability to generate extra bounce might have made him an asset
Pakistan fast bowler Junaid Khan expressed jubilation on his selection in the Pakistan’s One Day International (ODI) team for the Australia series, calling it a chance for him to prove himself in the field.
“This is a great moment for me… Although we are sad for the demise of [Mohammad] Irfan’s mother, it is a chance for me to prove myself and my fitness in Australia,” Khan told DawnNews.
“I am experiencing the same feelings right now as I did when I was selected for the first time.”
Khan was called for the ODI series against Australia as a replacement for Mohammad Irfan, who is returning home following the death of his mother, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials said on Tuesday.
The fast bowler has not only played domestic cricket but has also played in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), where he emerged as one of the top three best-performing bowlers. On Tuesday, he took four wickets in a domestic one-day match, leading Peshawar to victory against FATA.
“Getting back in the national team after almost one and a half years is the biggest achievement that I’ve been waiting for since a long time,” Khan added.
The fast bowler said that he has been in form for a while, attributing his selection to his consistent performance in domestic cricket as well as the BPL where he scored the second biggest number of wickets in the tournament.
About the ODI series in Australia, Khan said he is up for the challenge as pitches there are a “bit different”.
“Pitches in Australia are a bit different but I am confident to give a match-winning performance there,” the fast bowler added.
He also said that teamwork will lead Pakistan to victory in Australia.
“I cannot go there and take wickets alone. It’s a team effort, and I am sure my captain and fellow bowlers will give me all the support I’ll need,” he said.
“I will do my best. The rest is up to fate.”
