Karachi: Facing a series of dejections from the team’s squad, Pakistan’s left-arm fast bowler Junaid Khan is reportedly mulling over the idea of permanently settling in England with hopes of representing the English National team one day.
Junaid Khan is the highest wicket-taker with 71 Test wickets in the current Pakistani bowling line-up.
In Pakistan Super league this year, the pace battery showcased an excellent bowling performance and scalped six wickets while playing for the Peshawar Zalmi team.
However, Pakistan’s former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, head of the selection committee said that the Junaid has not been able to give his best performance ever since he sustained a knee injury.
In Test cricket, Junaid has grabbed 71 wickets in just 22 matches with an average of 31.73 that include 5 five-wicket hauls. In ODIs, he has scalped 78 wickets in 52 matches with an average of 27.52.
In January 2016, Junaid, along with Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq and ODI skipper Azhar Ali, had to undergo a random doping test carried out by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Meanwhile, Junaid’s family members have also raised concerns about his rejection from the Pakistan team.
“Junaid feels hurt after being constantly ignored by the selectors and is looking to permanently settle in England. He thinks that he is being treated unjustly and therefore feels it is better for him to play his cricket in England where his talent is respected and valued,” one of his family members told The Express Tribune.
The left-arm pacer also revealed about his interest of playing for the English side.
“I’ve performed on barren pitches so far in my career and when the time came for me to bowl in conditions that would perfectly suit my bowling, I was ignored,” he said.
