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Mohammad Amir vs Junaid Khan

Titan24

Senior Test Player
Joined
Oct 19, 2016
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I know Mohammad Amir is rated pretty highly both in Pakistan and around the globe, no doubt he is a class act, but to me a fit Junaid Khan is also a class of his own.
Ok lets study both a bit

Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan both opened the bowling for Pakistan in same U 19 world Cup. As Amir was two years younger and was bowling equally good with more pace he became the blue eyed boy among the fans. Younus Khan as a captain of WT 2009 took two notable initiatives, one was selection Mohammad Amir and othe was selecting Shahzaib Hassan, one was 17 and other was 19. While Shahzaib struggled a bit, Amir impressed all. Amir kept on improving and became the poster boy of Pakistan cricket. in 2010 he got the ideal conditions to swing the bowl in England. He created an impact before that unfortunate no ball and his ban.

Junaid Khan got selected in the team for the world cup 2011 but couldnt get a game. He got his first game for Pakistan in West indies. He also kept on improving and remain taking fifers on the dead wickets of UAE where if I remember correctly no other fast bowler was able to take fifers for Pakistan in tests, ok may be tanveer ahmed from 2012 till now as it was always spinners paradise. Junaid alomost than single handedly won us 2012 tour of India and played a crucial part in Pakistan histrical win against SA in SA in ODIs in 2013.
Junaid Khan got injured when he was at his peak and we all know knee injuries which lead to surgeries are the worst.

But looking at Junaids performance in CT 17 where he was the 3rd highest wicket taker, it looks that he is getting back to his best. He took wickets of T Parera, Buttler and Moin Ali at very crucial times of the matches and was good with both the new bowl as well as the old ball.

Both are pretty different bowlers although both are left armers. Junaid khan seams the bowl after pitching while Amir swings the ball.

Lets look at the stats
Amir: ODIs; Avg: 27.41, Wkts: 55
Tests; Avg: 31.47, Wkts: 94 (4 5w hauls)

Junaid: ODIs; Avg: 28.12, Wkts; 94
Tests; Avg; 31.73, Wkts; 71 (5 5w hauls)


To be honest they both are very good however, people tend to favor Amir a lot and make him to be much better than Junaid.

To me if both are fit and in reasonable rhythm they are one pair of the best around the world. No bowler can do magic on its own he needs good partners at other end What do you guys believe?:sarf
 
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Don't put them in the same sentence.

Amir is a premier bowler with a full skill set of a top pace bowler.

Junaid is a 3rd seamer who we should soon replace with a better option as he'll get tonked on most occasions due to lack of skills, except with a roughed up old ball in some cases.

He has earned the next few series though, and selectors should be searching for a better replacement soon, e.g. Rumman.
 
Both are good enough to be in the team, but are different sort of bowlers. Amir is a bit more dependable in ODI's when it comes to economy rate while Junaid is a bit more liable to be hit although his wicket taking knowledge is better IMO.
The important thing is, both are needed and should be given a long rope, they have the potential to become a brilliant combo akin to Starc and Hazlewood, Boult and Southee, Steyn and Morkel.
 
I don't think Junaid could have ever delivered that spell that Amir delivered against India in that ICC CT final. I rate Amir higher than Junaid but both should be in the team as they are great bowlers.
 
I think Junaid is a very good support bowler and Amir is a very good strike bowler. Both with the new ball can run through line ups.
 
Junaid 4 years ago was comparable to Amir.

Now he's injury prone, lost his pace, lost his swing, and varies the ball less. You saw this when in the final Indians were going after him with ease and he had to be taken out

He's okay for now, but I think he'll be replaced within a year as more talent emerges
 
Amir is better than Junaid and there's no doubt about it. But this doesn't mean Junaid is a mediocre or ordinary bowler.

I find it hard to believe that many people totally discount Junaid. Junaid's inclusion is what changed the bowling dynamics of the Pakistan team. Amir/Junaid combo is a dream for any team in the world. Junaid is the perfect spoil for Amir and because these two bowled with the new ball, Hasan Ali could bowl freely in the middle overs. Also credit goes to Sarfraz for the fantastic bowling changes.

Junaid isn't back to his best yet but he still paired brilliantly with Amir. Give him a few more months and in shaa Allah you will have the deadliest new ball bowling pair in the world playing for your side.
 
The two best pacers from Asia, along with Hassan Ali. Amir is the better bowler and is a few years younger as well so he'll go on to be the bigger superstar. Junaid however, is underrated and now that he's back to his best, will ensure that this becomes a fierce debate.
 
Don't put them in the same sentence.

Amir is a premier bowler with a full skill set of a top pace bowler.

Junaid is a 3rd seamer who we should soon replace with a better option as he'll get tonked on most occasions due to lack of skills, except with a roughed up old ball in some cases.

He has earned the next few series though, and selectors should be searching for a better replacement soon, e.g. Rumman.

Amir looks better, bowls better, performs better, has a bigger fan base... But Junaid who has almost identical stats as Amir...

I guess its Amir who has underperformed that he is comparable to Junaid and not the other way round
 
Junaid 4 years ago was comparable to Amir.

Now he's injury prone, lost his pace, lost his swing, and varies the ball less. You saw this when in the final Indians were going after him with ease and he had to be taken out

He's okay for now, but I think he'll be replaced within a year as more talent emerges

The guy who didn't play the semi final and quit bowling after he was getting smacked around by Kohli and Yuvraj is getting compared to the guy who bowled almost his full quota in the 5 games (1 warmup game) he played and picked up more wickets.. you're funny

I guess you have it the other way
 
Another interesting comparison is both Amir and Junaid have similar stats in test matches..

But the difference is Amir played majority of his test matches in seamer friendly condition : Aus, NZ and England but has only 4 5'fers to show for it..

While Junaid has almost always played in UAE, Srilanka but has only played 3 test matches in seamer friendly conditions (1 in SA and maybe 2 in Zmbabwe) and has 5 5'fers to show for his effort..

I guess Junaid is overall a much better bowler than Amir.. who is overrated, overhyped and has no metal/steel to perform in testing conditions for bowler..

Which is why he wanted to quit test matches since he doesn't have what it takes
 
I think Junaid is a very good support bowler and Amir is a very good strike bowler. Both with the new ball can run through line ups.

Strike bowler has worse off strike rate than your support bowler, it says alot about your strike bowler..
 
Another interesting comparison is both Amir and Junaid have similar stats in test matches..

But the difference is Amir played majority of his test matches in seamer friendly condition : Aus, NZ and England but has only 4 5'fers to show for it..

While Junaid has almost always played in UAE, Srilanka but has only played 3 test matches in seamer friendly conditions (1 in SA and maybe 2 in Zmbabwe) and has 5 5'fers to show for his effort..

I guess Junaid is overall a much better bowler than Amir.. who is overrated, overhyped and has no metal/steel to perform in testing conditions for bowler..

Which is why he wanted to quit test matches since he doesn't have what it takes

You are just a blind Amir hater and don't have any thing to back it up. Junaid is a Mediocre at best, Bowls between 130-135 kph and zero swing. Absolutely zero threat with the new bowl. He actually takes pressure off which Amir has build with the new ball. Batsmen defend Amir's overs and score easily off junaid which takes off pressure Amir would take lot more wickets if he bowls new ball with hasan ali or some other good swing bowler. Junaid takes pressure off and Amir don't get his wickets. Simple as that.
 
Don't put them in the same sentence.

Amir is a premier bowler with a full skill set of a top pace bowler.

Junaid is a 3rd seamer who we should soon replace with a better option as he'll get tonked on most occasions due to lack of skills, except with a roughed up old ball in some cases.

He has earned the next few series though, and selectors should be searching for a better replacement soon, e.g. Rumman.


Serheeal Post.


JK before Injury had much more impressive numbers. Injury & most importantly NCA medical panel is behind his 3-4 years worst time in International Cricket in all formats.


Now that his fitness is improving his pace, accuracy & performances all are improving.


Selectors aren't Annay (blind) to be searching for Replacement of 27 years old Champions Trophy's 3rd Best seamer.
 
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You are just a blind Amir hater and don't have any thing to back it up. Junaid is a Mediocre at best, Bowls between 130-135 kph and zero swing. Absolutely zero threat with the new bowl. He actually takes pressure off which Amir has build with the new ball. Batsmen defend Amir's overs and score easily off junaid which takes off pressure Amir would take lot more wickets if he bowls new ball with hasan ali or some other good swing bowler. Junaid takes pressure off and Amir don't get his wickets. Simple as that.

Yes and Junaid has more 5'fers than Amir, and all of them came vs Srilanka in either the UAE or Srilanka..

Poor guy what does he have to do get 18 Test Matches in his career in English/Australian/NZ conditions... (Seamer Friendly)
 
You are just a blind Amir hater and don't have any thing to back it up. Junaid is a Mediocre at best, Bowls between 130-135 kph and zero swing. Absolutely zero threat with the new bowl. He actually takes pressure off which Amir has build with the new ball. Batsmen defend Amir's overs and score easily off junaid which takes off pressure Amir would take lot more wickets if he bowls new ball with hasan ali or some other good swing bowler. Junaid takes pressure off and Amir don't get his wickets. Simple as that.

For Amir to be proven good doesnt mean that Junaid should be said as bad. Junaid was never a swing bowler he is a seam bowler as I mentioned.
 
Yes and Junaid has more 5'fers than Amir, and all of them came vs Srilanka in either the UAE or Srilanka..

Poor guy what does he have to do get 18 Test Matches in his career in English/Australian/NZ conditions... (Seamer Friendly)

Yes excellent post. I am a fan of both Amir and Junaid but I hate the way Junaid gets undermined. I agree he was very poor in some matches post injury but he is getting back there as the CT 17 proved. If Junaid is at his best he is by no means less than any bowler in the world currently.
 
Junaid 4 years ago was comparable to Amir.

Now he's injury prone, lost his pace, lost his swing, and varies the ball less. You saw this when in the final Indians were going after him with ease and he had to be taken out

He's okay for now, but I think he'll be replaced within a year as more talent emerges

6 overs 1 maiden 1 wicket and 20 runs. How can you say that he was leaking runs
 
Amir is better. Juanid will always give his 100 percent. Junaid still has a lot to prove against top teams.
 
Junaid has always a been more consistent new ball bowler than Aamir.
 
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