Left-arm pace bowler Junaid Khan, who replaced the injured fast bowler Sohail Tanvir in Pakistan’s World Cup squad, has said he is not overawed at the prospect of making his international debut on such a big stage. “I’ll treat it as just another game of cricket,” Junaid told media on Thursday. “I’ve represented my country at junior levels and Pakistan A, so I know what the responsibility of playing for your country is like. I don’t think I’ll have any nerves and I am confident I can handle the situation.” Junaid was selected on the basis of his consistent showing on Pakistan’s domestic circuit. In 35 first-class games, he has picked up 167 wickets at an average of just above 21. He was also the second-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan A in the unofficial ODI series during their recent tour of West Indies where he picked up five wickets in three games. “I’ve been working so hard over the last couple of seasons and I feel that I have consistently improved as a bowler, “Junaid said. “I’ve also been working hard on my batting and I feel that my call-up for the World Cup is warranted as I have done consistently well at all levels for Pakistan.”
There have been several high-voltage clashes between India and Pakistan in previous World Cups and Junaid said he was looking forward to another such encounter. “Just getting a chance to play in the World Cup is a dream come true for me,” he said. “But if we get to play against India in the World Cup, it would be a blast to bowl at Sachin Tendulkar and get him out. It is an ambition for me.”
He said he was thankful to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and national selectors for reposing confidence in him. “God has been kind to me and I know this is a big opportunity. I don’t know if I will get a chance to play but I will do my best should I be given a chance,” he added.
