junaid khan, 2013 champions trophy, pakistan cricket, pakistan cricket board, pcb, wasim akram
“PCB has also advised me to skip county offers to avoid possible injuries before the mega event scheduled in England later this year.” -Photo by AFP

KARACHI: Pakistan’s emerging paceman Junaid Khan has passed over several county offers and is solely “focused” on being super fit for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Khan, who excelled in Pakistan’s series win against India and also had a decent tour of South Africa recently, caught the attention of English county Durham. But the left-arm fast bowler, who has already played for Lancashire, says the offers will have to wait.

“I have played for Lancashire, and recently got good offers from Durham and a few other county teams. However, my entire focus is on the Champions Trophy at the moment, hence I turned down the offers”, Khan said in an interview.

According to Khan, the Pakistan Cricket Board has also advised the bowler to keep himself injury free as Pakistan faces a long lay-off between now and June, when the Champions Trophy begins.

“PCB has also advised me to skip county offers to avoid possible injuries before the mega event scheduled in England later this year,” Khan said referring to a leg injury he suffered on the tour of South Africa.

Meanwhile, the 23-year-old said he was excited at the prospect of learning a few things when legendary paceman and compatriot Wasim Akram joins Pakistan’s training camp before the Champions Trophy.

“I heard Wasim Akram will also visit the training camp and that would the best opportunity for a youngster like me to learn from the master.”

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