Has Junaid Khan's pace gone down?

[TheNightWatchman]

I know he's coming back from injury but Junaid was bowling at harmless 81 mph (132 ks) pace. It's one thing being economical but bowling at that pace won't get you any wickets unless you know how to swing the new ball really good
In 2013 he was bowling late 130ks and almost consistently hitting that 140 kph mark. Still not express but it was good enough. After injury in 2014 he was bowling mid to late 130s.But now he's reduced his pace even more. This is a serious cause of concern especially considering he is the "leader" of the attack and most experienced. I don't want him to end up like in the latter stages of his career. But even at 25 Waqar bowled much faster than what Junaid is doing right now.

 

[Buffet]

It's first match after the break. You got to see him after 8-10 matches. Anyway, he wasn't really that fast to begin with. Normally, 134-138 KPH was his range. Today most deliveries were 128-134 KPH.

So not a big change. I am sure that he will get back to his usual speed after few matches. Rhythm may be an issue here.

 

[Zohaib Shah]

Chill out this is Junaids first game.

 

[Stallion__]

Give him some time before being judgmental.

 

[in_cutter]

Seriously...some Pak fans. OP expects him to bowl at top speed right away?!

 

[badsha001]

90mph or go home eh

 

[Arsal_AK]

First international game in 9 months.

 

[axl100mph]

He is a trundler most of the times so i m nt surprised

 

[slice]

He is a trundler most of the times so i m nt surprised

Specify the speed range of trundling.
His usual speed is more like 133-140.Today it was a bit less.

 

[axl100mph]

Specify the speed range of trundling.
His usua l speed is more like 133-140.Today it was a bit less.

Trundling is not just about pace. It is about running in without purpose or plan.
A guy like umesh yadav might bowl 140+ but he usually doesnt hv any wicket taking plan and doesnt try to orchestrate a dismissal.
Junaid infact has to try to bowl quicker coz he has no art of swing but he just goes through the motions, unlikea a true Pakistani bowler

 

[slice]

Trundling is not just about pace. It is about running in without purpose or plan.
A guy like umesh yadav might bowl 140+ but he usually doesnt hv any wicket taking plan and doesnt try to orchestrate a dismissal.
Junaid infact has to try to bowl quicker coz he has no art of swing but he just goes through the motions, unlikea a true Pakistani bowler

We did see some yorkers upfront.

 

[axl100mph]

We did see some yorkers upfront.

Those yorkers r useless if u dont get swing or are not quick through the air.
He should hv worke
Kd with ian pont and work on his arm extension which he doesnt use to the full thereby compromising pace

 

[Junaids]

Junaid Khan has a serious problem. Especially with Amir's return just 3 and a bit months away.

He is barely tall enough to be a fast bowler outside Asia on modern lower-bounce pitches, which means that he needs to be "quick enough" - which in my opinion means 137-145K.

Amir obviously walks back into the team the second he is eligible.

But Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali are both 3 inches taller than Junaid Khan, which means that they release the ball roughly 5 inches higher than he does and get significantly more lift than he can.

We Lancashire fans realised that he had a major problem when he returned for our relegation shootout last Autumn - a 4 day match - and looked absolutely toothless. No pace at all, no zip and no lift.

Junaid Khan really needs to go back to basics with a good bowling coach and do some targeted fitness work to lift his pace. Because he is just cannon fodder at the moment.

 

[Swanny]

Somebody here has a thing for tall men it seems.

 

[WrexEverything]

Junaid isn't really express anyway.

 

[Mamoon]

His pace has always been a grandiose myth, but at the moment he's clearly trundling like a generic South Asian pacer excluding Pakistan.

 

[Slog]

He was never an express bowler to begin with

 

[KevinFern]

Junaid Khan has a serious problem. Especially with Amir's return just 3 and a bit months away.

He is barely tall enough to be a fast bowler outside Asia on modern lower-bounce pitches, which means that he needs to be "quick enough" - which in my opinion means 137-145K.

Amir obviously walks back into the team the second he is eligible.

But Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali are both 3 inches taller than Junaid Khan, which means that they release the ball roughly 5 inches higher than he does and get significantly more lift than he can.

We Lancashire fans realised that he had a major problem when he returned for our relegation shootout last Autumn - a 4 day match - and looked absolutely toothless. No pace at all, no zip and no lift.

Junaid Khan really needs to go back to basics with a good bowling coach and do some targeted fitness work to lift his pace. Because he is just cannon fodder at the moment.

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] So you are a Lancashire fan? I thought you would be rooting for NSW or WA domestic teams

 

[Cornered-Forever]

Junaid Khan Hits 142kph Today (Pace Watch)

Pre-injury, Junaid was averaging ~23.00 in ODIs, post-injury he's been at ~57.00.

More or less, his control & swing seems to still be in tact, his pace has been considerably lower and that has most likely been the biggest contributing factor.

Each comeback he's made, I've paid close attention to the pace he racks up.. In his last few comebacks he was trundling at low 130s. Surprisingly, I've seen a consistent improvement in his last comeback.

Although he hasn't yet picked up any wickets today, it was a special day.

Today:

Fastest: 142.2kph/88mph
Median: 137kph/85mph
Average: 135kph/84mph
Slowest: 107kph/66mph

These are positive signs, over his most recent comeback, his bowling averages and strike rate are improving.

Here's hoping that he sustains this improvement, wishing him all the best.

 

[sshakir411]

in before the expert bio-mechanists who can spot chucking from a different continent

 

[Kaka4pope]

Still a talented a relatively young man whose had serious injury as far as bowlers go.

Junaid, Amir, Hasan - could do worse, could do a lot worse...this is a good attack across formats. Give them time together as a trio I say, and lets see if they can blossom further.

 

[Cornered-Forever]

Get's his first wicket today, pace has definitely been upped

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

138kph in his 8th over.

Impressive.

Much improved fitness M.A.