If you want to be groomed on handling pressure, play against India: Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan was once a popular up-and-coming fast-bowler from Pakistan. However, at this moment, he finds himself out of the national team. He is probably unlikely to make it to the Pakistan team anytime soon. However, he has given his opinion around grooming young players for high-intensity games. 

According to the pacer, it is essential for players to take part in India-Pakistan matches, which can help them handle pressure. Khan himself is a product of performing well in India-Pakistan matches. He made a name for himself when he troubled Indian batters on Pakistan’s last tour to India, which had taken place in the 2012-13 season. 

“If you want to be groomed on handling pressure, play against India. The pressure is so much on both teams, the atmosphere is awesome. I do think there has to be cricket played between the two nations regularly. But looking at the circumstances, I don’t think it is going to happen anytime soon,” Junaid Khan told Cricket Pakistan.

Junaid Khan last played for Pakistan in 2019

Junaid has a stellar record against India. The left-arm swing bowler has taken nine wickets from six matches against India at an average of 20.44. Eight of those nine scalps had come during Pakistan’s tour of India, in a series where he averaged 12.37. He played an impactful role in helping his team win that series with a margin of 2-1. Khan was also part of the Pakistan team which defeated India in the ICC Champions Trophy final 2017. 

”When I toured India in 2012-13, I learnt a lot. I understand how to handle pressure. So if India and Pakistan play matches against each other, people from both countries will be equally happy,” Junaid Khan concluded. India and Pakistan have not played a single bilateral series since 2012-13. 

Talking about Junaid’s career, the 31-year-old has played 76 ODIs so far and taken 110 wickets at an average of 29.23. His last ODI match was right before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and he hasn’t made a comeback into the national team since. His last professional match was in 2020 November, when he turned up for Multan Sultans.