Junaid Khan to consider moving to England

Pakistan pacer Junaid Khan is highly disappointed with his exclusion from the squad and is now considering a move to England in order to further his international career. Junaid has even questioned his exclusion for the forthcoming limited-overs series in England and Ireland.

Speaking to Dawn News, he said that he got the opportunity to play for England in 2013 after his performance in the county circuit, but he preferred to play for Pakistan. “I have no option but to consider playing for England now. Half of my family resides in England, but I kept Pakistan as my priority. I had the opportunity to play for England in 2013 after my outstanding performances in County cricket, but I rejected it,” he claimed.

Despite the Pakistan chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq, raising concerns over his fitness, he said that he is 100 percent fit to be in the squad. “I bowled outstanding spells in my last practice game. I returned figures of one for 22 in seven overs. I was told to prove my fitness and I am 100 per cent fit,” he said.

The 26-year old took to Twitter to express his disappointment on being left out of the squad. “I cannot understand on which basis I am out of the team. Is it performance or is it fitness. I’m attending 3rd fitness camp and I am 100% fit my performance and the list of countries whom I have played is in front of you all. I have not been allowed to play league and county cricket,” he wrote on Twitter.

Also read – Pakistan may hand Iftikhar a Test debut: Mickey Arthur

Junaid, who made his ODI debut in April 2011 against West Indies, has been quite impressive with 78 wickets from 52 ODIs. He has also has represented Pakistan in 22 Tests and 9 T20Is with 71 and 8 wickets respectively.

Pakistan ODI squad for the tour of England:

Azhar Ali (C), Sharjeel Khan, Sami Aslam, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Nawaz