Sharing hat-trick with Amir is a pleasure, says Junaid Khan

Multan Sultans’ spearhead fast bowler Junaid Khan showed delight at sharing the record of a hat-trick with national team-mate Mohammad Amir, saying he prays other pacemen like Wahab Riaz and Hasan Ali also achieve the feat.

Junaid, who missed Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand due to fitness issues, dismissed Lahore Qalandars’s Yasir Shah, Cameroon Delport and Raza Hasan in the 17th over to finish with 3-27. That helped Sultans fight back to pull off a stunning 43-run win — their second in PSL 3.

Junaid sparked a collapse in Lahore’s ranks which saw them lose seven wickets for four runs in the space of 15 balls.

Read More: Junaid’s hat-trick leads Multan to 43-run victory over Qalandars

Junaid’s hat-trick is the second in PSL’s history behind Karachi Kings’s Amir’s against, ironically, against Lahore in the first edition in 2016.

“I am delighted to achieve a hat trick and this is the second after Amir’s so it is more delightful as I now share it with Amir. I share the new ball with Amir in Pakistan’s attack so it is an honour and I pray that other Pakistan bowlers like Wahab Riaz and Hasan Ali also achieve the feat,” said Junaid.

Junaid said he gets tremendous help from Multan Sultans’s director Wasim Akram, a legendary Pakistan paceman.

“Wasim bhai is a great help and I am learning a great deal from him. He is a legend of Pakistan cricket so it’s a great opportunity for me to learn,” said Junaid.

Recalling his hat-trick Junaid said he felt normal.

“I was feeling normal after achieving the feat. When I got the first wicket I went to captain Shoaib Malik and he told me to bowl like a normal delivery. Bowl with your heart was the advice so I did the same,” said Junaid.

Junaid hoped his performance helps him regain his place in the Pakistan team.