Junaid Khan vs Wahab Riaz for the 2019 World Cup

[Abdullah719]

Junaid was dropped at the last moment, Wahab was recalled out of the blue.

Wahab has 24 wickets in World Cups with an average of 21.91 in 12 matches which is way better than his overall ODI record.
Junaid has not played any World Cup matches.

Wahab has 4 wickets in England at an average of 96 and economy of 6.7
Junaid has 11 wickets in England at an average of 36 and economy of 5.6.

Wahab has 25 wickets in ODIs since the 2015 World Cup at an average of 47 and economy of 5.8.
Junaid has 35 wickets in ODIs since the 2015 World Cup at an average of 36 and economy of 5.7.

Wahab is easily better in fielding/batting.

Thoughts?

 

[Titan24]

I guess post 2015 WC till CT 17 was one of the worst the worst periods of Wahab's ODI career.

I think more than Junaid vs Wahab its about who can be better in the conditions we have witnessed in England till now. Junaid is definitely a better bowler when conditions assist a bit but he didnt look suitable for conditions on display in England at the moment. His pace is also not high enough to disturb batsmen on these surfaces.

So obviously considering the conditions and our bowling is lacking death over bowling Wahab was an obvious choice. His batting and fielding is bonus, still remember him scoring crucial runs against Zim in WC 2015.

Haris Rauf is the only one who was bowling such good yorkers as Wahab in PSL 2019 however, I can understand that with Shaheen and Hasnain already inexperienced they didnt wanna try someone new. Hasnaian over Haris since Aus series was arguable though.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Never rated Wahab since the day I saw some absolute brainless bowling in the Asia cup 2012.

On belters, his record is extremely poor.

Asia cup 2012: 50 runs in 4 overs with 8 boundaries that let Kohli score 183 and chase 330 in 48th over

SA 2013: 90 runs in 10 overs that allowed SA to post 343/5

England 2016: 110 runs in 10 overs in that infamous 444/3 game against England

England 2017: 87 runs in 8.4 overs against India in CT group match


Insanity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different result.

 

[Chokli]

Junaid was past his best in 2014.

Wahab looked amazing in the Pakistan Cup.

 

[Pete Rose]

Pakistan fans: "the question is would I like to be shot to death or poisoned to death."

 

[shahidbhai]

Dont understand why Junaid is salty, he performed horribly and was toothless, he lacks pace, death bowling skills, swing, poor fielding and probably the worst batsman (including shaheen)...so regardless whether he is replaced by Wahab or me, it shouldnt matter, he isnt up to the mark to perform in this world cup...everyone else at least has something more to offer in these conditions (even if its just in theory)... so its just the way the cookie crumbles...

 

[MenInG]

Junaid was dropped at the last moment, Wahab was recalled out of the blue.

Wahab has 24 wickets in World Cups with an average of 21.91 in 12 matches which is way better than his overall ODI record.
Junaid has not played any World Cup matches.

Wahab has 4 wickets in England at an average of 96 and economy of 6.7
Junaid has 11 wickets in England at an average of 36 and economy of 5.6.

Wahab has 25 wickets in ODIs since the 2015 World Cup at an average of 47 and economy of 5.8.
Junaid has 35 wickets in ODIs since the 2015 World Cup at an average of 36 and economy of 5.7.

Wahab is easily better in fielding/batting.

Thoughts?

Inzi's thoughts

"Wahab Riaz has performed well in domestic tournaments. There is no aspect of the panic button here, we've selected the team according to the requirement after speaking to the captain and coach"

"Alongside bowling, we need to look at the fielding factor also. We also look at which bowler will be effective. Faheem Ashraf and Junaid Khan have good performances but we feel they won't be effective on these pitches where we need pace and experience"

"Junaid and Faheem aren't bad bowlers but we feel they aren't suited to these conditions"

 

[NauV]

Junaid is bowling early 80s and bowl isn't moving one bit in England . . He could hardly nail a yorker in the games he played . . and at that pace, even reverse swing wont help him . . so in short, he has no skills up his sleeve that would make him successful on the kind of pitches expected in England . . People can put up all the numbers and statistics in the world, but it won't change the above . . On pitches in the UAE, everyones economies are good. . you lose your wickets going afte rthe bowling cuz the pitches don't suit that kinda batting . .

Now coming to Wahab . . he has pace . . (more than Hasnain! ) . . he can reverse swing the ball . . so even on his worse day, he has a better chance of being successful than Junaid on these pitches with the kookaburra . .

 

[Manager101]

Junaid is bowling early 80s and bowl isn't moving one bit in England . . He could hardly nail a yorker in the games he played . . and at that pace, even reverse swing wont help him . . so in short, he has no skills up his sleeve that would make him successful on the kind of pitches expected in England . . People can put up all the numbers and statistics in the world, but it won't change the above . . On pitches in the UAE, everyones economies are good. . you lose your wickets going afte rthe bowling cuz the pitches don't suit that kinda batting . .

Now coming to Wahab . . he has pace . . (more than Hasnain! ) . . he can reverse swing the ball . . so even on his worse day, he has a better chance of being successful than Junaid on these pitches with the kookaburra . .

To be honest, Wahab was smashed all over the park in the same country and pitch twice few years ago.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Wahab. Just choosing the less mediocre one. Junaid just doesn't have the pace plus wahab can bat.

 

[Muhammad10]

If we're talking about merit, neither of these two (or Amir) did anything to deserve selection ahead of Shinwari.

 

[Saj]

Usman Khan Shinwari says hello.

 

[NauV]

To be honest, Wahab was smashed all over the park in the same country and pitch twice few years ago.

And he may get smashed again .. That's not my point . . My point is Junaid has nothing in his armory that will make him a weapon in these conditions . . Wahab does . . Hence, Wahab was in my squad over Junaid . .

 

[Manager101]

The experienced yorkers and reverse swing at work.

 

[Syed1]

But but but Wahab is phassttt


Pace is pace yaar



Looking forward to Kohli or Smith smashing this gully mohallah bowler for 10 rpo inshallah.


It's pathetic that these people use connections and lobbying to sneak their way into the squad.

 

[Hasan123]

I'll take Wahab over Junaid. Junaid doesn't have no pace or swing the ball. At least Wahab could reverse the ball and has pace.

 

[ExpressPacer]

But but but Wahab is phassttt


Pace is pace yaar



Looking forward to Kohli or Smith smashing this gully mohallah bowler for 10 rpo inshallah.


It's pathetic that these people use connections and lobbying to sneak their way into the squad.

Honestly so ironic how some fans on here consider themselves the PCT's most patriotic supporters yet pray for our bowlers to get smashed.

Smith or Kohli scoring runs against Wahab at 10 RPO would essentially mean Pakistan gets thrashed.

 

[Bilal7]

If the pitches during the World Cup are as horrid as the ones we saw in this series, Riaz is probably the better choice. However, you can just as easily drop Amir and Hasan with that line of thinking. If there is nothing in it for the bowlers, medium fast bowlers will get smashed. Bowlers who are quicker can utilize their sheer speed and the fuller length to hit back with wickets.

 

[gazza619]

Pakistan fans: "the question is would I like to be shot to death or poisoned to death."

Shot to death i say.,

Hence Wahab Riaz.

 

[Ronaldo7]

Honestly so ironic how some fans on here consider themselves the PCT's most patriotic supporters yet pray for our bowlers to get smashed.

Smith or Kohli scoring runs against Wahab at 10 RPO would essentially mean Pakistan gets thrashed.

But but but... WE MUST BE PROVEN RIGHT NO MATTER WHAT.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Wahab to Kohli 73 balls 79 runs 1 wicket. Kohli has issues against left armers except when it is Wahab.

 

[Madplayer]

I would take Junaid over Wahab any day of the week. Junaid made it to CT17 XI with his good performances while Wahab made sure he gets thrashed in the first game only to sit on the bench for the rest of the tourney.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Let us assume if the roles had been reversed. Let us say Wahab took part in this series and Junaid was absent lol Wahab is the one who will be on the twitter with tape on his mouth. Same way Umar Akmal or some other random guy would have scored a lot of runs as well probably better than Asif Ali? Amir's selection is good though. He is your gun bowler. Always will step up and go the extra distance when needed.

 

[Bilal7]

Let us assume if the roles had been reversed. Let us say Wahab took part in this series and Junaid was absent lol Wahab is the one who will be on the twitter with tape on his mouth. Same way Umar Akmal or some other random guy would have scored a lot of runs as well probably better than Asif Ali? Amir's selection is good though. He is your gun bowler. Always will step up and go the extra distance when needed.

That is how sport is. You have to take the opportunities you're given or someone else will.

 

[jnaveen1980]

That is how sport is. You have to take the opportunities you're given or someone else will.

Wahab probably is a better choice. But since the decision is purely based on a series where bowlers from both sides were cartered around, one wonder if Wahab would have escaped this massacre. I doubt so. He probably would have done worse given his brainless bowling on pattas. He is effective on abrasive surfaces. Best way you compare players is when both play the same game. Not when one is sitting at home watching teams piling up 350 runs in every match other one is being thrashed around by one of the strongest batting team ever.

 

[moghul]

Forget about records, on current form, Wahab is the best fast bowler in Pakistan and Junaid way down the line, not in first 10.

 

[MachoKhan]

Wahab must have some strong connections otherwise no way he would have made it.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Wahab to Kohli 73 balls 79 runs 1 wicket. Kohli has issues against left armers except when it is Wahab.

Kohli exposed this fast bowler way back in 2012.

 

[mesmerizer85]

Wahab must have some strong connections otherwise no way he would have made it.

Yeah heard that his father was a businessman who had investments in previous governments time and close connections. Possibly a call from a political figure to the PCB did the trick..

 

[CricFan2012]

Honestly so ironic how some fans on here consider themselves the PCT's most patriotic supporters yet pray for our bowlers to get smashed.

Smith or Kohli scoring runs against Wahab at 10 RPO would essentially mean Pakistan gets thrashed.

Junaid is an awful bowler, I have been saying this for years now. Wahab is also an awful bowler. Comparing the two I would pick Wahab only because he can bowl faster and can bat better.

Junaid would have done zilch in this World Cup, he never had any legit skills, people got impressed by him because of a single series in India where every single fast bowler was swinging the ball.

The biggest injustice is to Shinwari who should have been taken to the World Cup and this series, he is basically a better version of Wahab, although still mediocre.

In the end though, it doesn't matter. We won't go far in this World Cup, if we had a few more power hitters then they could have made up for the fact that we don't have the bowling intelligence on these flat and lifeless wickets.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

both are rubbish..
but if i have to choose one of them on current form that will be wahab

 

[The Yorker]

Junaid has his chance and never took it. Wahab becomes a better bowler as he didn’t play the last two series and has been out of the team for two years. It’s a big gamble but it’s sheer desperation for the selectors who have failed miserably. At this last juncture they decided Junaid was not a suitable and opted for an experienced bowler who has performed well in world cups previously. Wahab may now have the fire in his belly to prove everyone wrong time will tell.

 

[Red Devil]

I can honestly understand the rationale behind this decision. Sure, it might backfire but on current form and keeping the conditions in mind, Wahab is easily an upgrade on Junaid.

In any case, what's done is done. We should hope, for Pakistan's sake, that Wahab delivers again like he did in the previous two WCs he played.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Junaid is an awful bowler, I have been saying this for years now. Wahab is also an awful bowler. Comparing the two I would pick Wahab only because he can bowl faster and can bat better.

Junaid would have done zilch in this World Cup, he never had any legit skills, people got impressed by him because of a single series in India where every single fast bowler was swinging the ball.

The biggest injustice is to Shinwari who should have been taken to the World Cup and this series, he is basically a better version of Wahab, although still mediocre.

In the end though, it doesn't matter. We won't go far in this World Cup, if we had a few more power hitters then they could have made up for the fact that we don't have the bowling intelligence on these flat and lifeless wickets.

I agree with everything you've said. Usman Khan makes my team before Amir, before Hasan and before Shaheen. He's our best ODI bowler. I expect Mickey to have him called up after one of our bowlers gets "injured".

But yes, I would have Wahab over Junaid any day of the week.

 

[hadi123]

Junaid Khan should have been dropped but not for this waste of space Riaz.

 

[waleed88]

Inzi's thoughts

"Wahab Riaz has performed well in domestic tournaments. There is no aspect of the panic button here, we've selected the team according to the requirement after speaking to the captain and coach"

"Alongside bowling, we need to look at the fielding factor also. We also look at which bowler will be effective. Faheem Ashraf and Junaid Khan have good performances but we feel they won't be effective on these pitches where we need pace and experience"

"Junaid and Faheem aren't bad bowlers but we feel they aren't suited to these conditions"

I think this is a recipe for disaster. On a batting pitch, bowlers with brainless pace have the ball flying to the fence more often.

Shinwari went for the most expensive figures in t20 history 4 overs for 63 runs vs South Africa.

People have to take that into account in an ODI and how catastrophic pace could be.

 

[Bewal Express]

Neither is any good but from the options we have,WR is better.

 

[GreenKhan]

I think some people are being very harsh on Junaid Khan . He has been a good servant for Pakistan , and always got on with it . He did well for Pakistan until injures hampered him and was very instrumental in the CT 17 campaign. His recent form was patchy and his fielding seems to have deserted him a bit . I personally kept in the squad .

For Pakistan I believe one dayers is wahabs worst format . He has been decent In tests as the 3rd seamer and in T20. However now that he has been selected I’m hoping he has learnt from his previous bad experiences in one dayers in England both in 2016 and 2017.

We just need to back him now . He will bring something to the batting and the field as well . If he can go for around 60 and get 2 wickets per match he will be a good addition.

 

[shariqnoor]

Junaid over Wahab but Wahab over Faheem.

 

[ali2220]

Junaid is past his best, and as such he shouldn't be in the team.Wahab is a spray gun, who has been terrible for 4 years now, only thing that goes in his favour is that he always does well in WC's.
I would have preferred shinwari over them though.

 

[Alamgeer]

Swing -- Junaid No. Wahab No
Pace --- Junaid No. Wahab Yes
Brain --- Junaid No. Wahab No
Reverse swing-- Junaid No. Wahab Yes
Yorkers -- Junaid No Wahab yes
Bouncers --- junaid No Wahab yes
Don't understand why people rate Junaid so much. Hes been very poor since so many years. I don't understand either how he picked so many wickets. Perhaps batesmen take him lightly and want to thrash him and lose wickets .