LAHORE - Although all of us miss spot-fixing tainted M Aamir, the bowling prodigy who rose from a humble background to become the most-talked about bowling sensation in a matter of a single season, there are many who do not wish to see him back in Pakistan colours.
Pakistan finds his replacement in Junaid Khan, his team-mate at the junior level, who desired to open the bowling for Pakistan with Aamir but his dream was shattered after Aamir alleged involvement in the fixing-scandal.
Junaid Khan did not impress with his bowling at initial stages but later improved a lot but was in and out from the team due to his injuries. In the Sri Lanka series, who grabbed two five wickets haul while in the final Test in Pellekele he got 5-72 and surprised the Sri Lankan batsmen with his swing and speed and took 14 wickets in the three-Test series.
The performance earned him praise not only from his captain but the opposition skipper Mahela Jayawardene who was surprised over his bowling abilities as well.
He swung the new ball both ways although there was not much movement on offer. The way he exploited the old ball, especially from round the wicket, reminded everyone of Wasim Akram, the legendary left-armer whom everyone aims to emulate.
He represented English county Lancashire and impressed them with his bowling skills and particularly bowling the finishing overs of the match in which he blocked runs and took wickets on several occasions. He had an impressive stint with Lancashire in 2011 with more opportunities beckoning for a bright future.
Junaid Khan, born in Mathra, Swabi in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was equally impressive at under-19 level if not better than his team-mate Aamir. The guile, precocity and a certain aura gave Aamir the edge and he leapfrogged Junaid to burst onto the international scene.
Junaid continued to work hard and took heaps of wickets in the domestic and A-level cricket. He deserved a chance but Pakistan's bowling seemed settled with the likes of Aamir, Asif and Umar Gul. Then there was Wahab Riaz who impressed in his debut Test match. The doors of international cricket seemed closed for Junaid for the time being.
But in Pakistan cricket, doors are never closed. After Aamir's allegedly involvement in the spot-fixing and ban by the ICC that was subsequently put behind bars in the UK. Junaid Khan was the logical choice. He was called to bolster Pakistan attack in the middle of the World Cup 2011 but he could not get a game.
Soon he made his international debut in an ODI in West Indies in April 2011. Later that year he made his Test debut at the age of nearly 21 years against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. He was below average on his debut as another debutant Aizaz Cheema stole the limelight.
He showed his true ability in his next Test appearance, against Sri Lanka on a flat wicket in Abu Dhabi, where he took 5 for 38 in the first innings but could not earn a permanent place in the side. But whenever he was given a chance he bowled with dedication and class with varying luck.
After a drubbing in the first Test in the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan needed their fast bowlers to come good and Junaid did not disappoint them. On the flattest of pitches at SSC Colombo, he bowled his heart out and earned his second five-wicket haul that earned him Man of the Match award.
On dead pitches he has an impressive record, 23 wickets at 27.
The fact that Aamir, at this stage of his career, had 18 wickets at 36 speaks volumes about Junaid's credentials as Test bowler. Aamir was nippier but Junaid is also touching 90-miles an hour. With more exposure and experience, he will only improve especially on lively pitches in England, Australia and South Africa.
If, he will be given a continuous run in Test cricket in his short career so far, he shown remarkable ability of staying focused despite playing irregularly. This shows that he is mentally strong, a trait necessary for a fast bowler. With slight work on his action, he can increase his speed a couple of notches. At this young age if one knows how to bring an out-swinger in after pitching, he surely has a bright future ahead.
He plays for Abbottabad in the domestic circuit but merits a stronger team in the coming seasons.