Pakistan’s left arm fast bowler Junaid Khan has said that he is ready for the challenge of international cricket and wants to prove his worth in the tour of West Indies due to begin later in April 2011.
Pakistan are scheduled to play a full series in the Caribbean which includes a T20 international, five One Day Internationals and a couple of Test matches.
Junaid is among those five uncapped players named in the squad for the West Indian tour by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
The young fast bowler from Abbotabad replaced another left arm medium fast bowler Sohail Tanvir in the 15-man squad for the ICC World Cup 2011. However, Junaid failed to get a game in the event as the Men in Green banked on their more experienced fast bowlers like Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq.
Junaid said that he is raring to go and is waiting for his opportunity in international cricket so that he can prove his mettle. He stated that his concentration is only on the Caribbean tour at the moment and wants to cement his place in the Pakistan line-up by performing well.
The 21-year-old fast bowler understands that high level of fitness is required at the international level and claimed that he is working hard on it.
He said, “I hope that I would get an opportunity to use the trip to prove my potential. I am fully focused on the West Indies tour and trying my best to keep fit, which is all the more important.”
Junaid has played for Pakistan in the Under-19 side with Mohammad Amir who is facing a five-year ban from international cricket because of his involvement in spot-fixing.
Many cricket analysts in Pakistan believe that Junaid can fill the boots of Amir in Pakistan’s squad as he resembles him a lot in his action and pace.
Junaid has performed well in domestic cricket and for Pakistan’s ‘A’ team in the last few years. The senior team of Pakistan would be hoping that he can replicate his form and fill the void left by Amir.
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