2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Junaid Khan Optimistic To Deliver Against ‘Brilliant’ Virat Kohli

Nov 2, 2023 at 3:52 PM

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2017 ICC Champions Trophy: Junaid Khan Optimistic To Deliver Against ‘Brilliant’ Virat Kohli

Pakistan seamer Junaid Khan is confident to get under the skin of Indian skipper Virat Kohli, as the two arch-rivals are all set to face in their respective 2017 ICC Champions Trophy opening match at Edgbaston in Birmingham on June 4.

The 27-year-old bowler Junaid is confident to claim the prized scalp of Kohli this time around, who recently had a lean patch in the tenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), as his best secret lies in his ability – to make a heroic comeback.

“He [Virat Kohli] is a brilliant batsman but he has failed against me. I have dismissed him in three out of the four matches we have faced each other,” Junaid was quoted by Express Tribune.

Following the track record, the results show the Swabi-born fast bowler Junaid has got better of flamboyant batsman Kohli after dismissing him thrice in four games.

“I bowled Kohli in India in front of his fans so it won’t be a problem in England,” Junaid asserted.

In 22 deliveries, Kohli scored just two runs against Junaid and it would be interesting to see how prolific run-scorer would tackle the latter with his display of stroke-making in the all-important clash.

“He has been hitting sixes and fours all over the world but none of them have come against me, which is an honour for me and I will try to keep that record intact in the upcoming Champions Trophy,” Junaid added.

Interestingly, in the 10th match of 2013 Champions Trophy edition, Kohli didn’t face Junaid in a rain-truncated game which was eventually won by India by eight wickets and 17 deliveries to spare owing to Duckworth-Lewis Method (D/L) after Pakistan was bundled out for 165 in a 40-over game.

As Kohli would be marshalling his troops for the first time in the mega event, the 27-year-old Junaid terms it as an advantage for him after dismissing Kohli in front of the home crowd, in a three-match One-day International series in 2012-13.

“When I face him, I will consider him the same Kohli. I may be wrong but I think he will also think of me as the same Junaid that has taken his wicket before, which might make him go on the defensive a bit more and therefore lose his wicket,” Junaid maintained.

Considering the fact, Junaid has been part of five matches for Pakistan in which Men in Green has claimed four wins and the upcoming event would be a different ball game altogether, as nerves would be tested in the 18-day tournament, jointly hosted by England and Wales.

“However, Kohli is not the only good player in their side and my focus will be on all of their batsmen. I have been watching their videos and have prepared myself to face them too,” Junaid revealed.

Junaid has effusively praised newly-appointed 50-over skipper Sarfraz Ahmed for instilling confidence in him, adding English County cricket has helped him to learn the niceties of the game, as he feels he has improved a lot as a bowler and he is further working on his swing bowling.

“He is a good leader and encourages the bowlers to bowl the way they want to, while also giving his own input. I have been working on my swing, which is my speciality and my biggest weapon,” Junaid concluded.

Marred by multiple injuries in the recent past, Junaid has featured in 58 ODIs in which he has bagged 86 wickets at an average of 28.94 after making his debut in 2011 against the West Indies.

Here’s the video:

 

 

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