Picture Credit: Reuters
Pakistan speedster Junaid Khan has made a huge statement on record alleging favouritism in the national team. He said that the players, who are close to the captain and the management, are the ones who are given long run across formats. He even alleged that most players in the Pakistan side do not feel secure about their place in the team because they fear they can be dropped without an extended run.
Khan, who played an instrumental role in Pakistan's ICC Champions Trophy-winning campaign in 2017, last donned the national colours in an ODI against England in 2019. Notably, the Men in Green had defeated arch-rivals India in the finals to win the Champions Trophy.
The 31-year-old said that he was often denied rest when he was playing all three formats for Pakistan and didn't get a chance to prove his worth even though he has been a consistent performer in the past.
If you don't have close relations with management then you are in and out: Junaid
"It is like if you are on good terms with the captain and team management then you will probably get a proper run in all formats to prove your worth," he said in an interview with Cricket Pakistan.
"If you don't have close relations with them then you are in and out. I used to be part of the national team in all three formats. I used to ask for rest but I wasn't given rest. "Then came a time when I got in the bad books and was being ignored due to likes and dislikes. I was performing but was not being given a proper chance. I just got into the bad books of selectors that is all," he added.
If selection is done justly I should be in consideration, says the left-arm seamer
Meanwhile, Khan said that he is regularly playing domestic cricket and should be considered for selection in the national side if the processes are just.
"I am regularly playing domestic cricket and I believe if the selection is done justly, I should be in consideration. I am being offered more money than what I earned while playing for Pakistan during my peak. However, I refused the offer as I still want to represent Pakistan," said Khan.