0
Pakistan’s highly-rated left-arm seamer, Junaid Khan, is to return as Lancashire’s overseas player for the upcoming season’s Friends Life T20 (Flt20), once the deal is concluded.
"We've got some paperwork with Junaid at this moment in time, so hopefully we'll get that back soon and square that bit of business off," Mike Watkinson, Lancashire's Cricket Director, explained.
Khan proved to be a valuable player in last year’s Flt20, helping Lancashire reach finals day for the first time in four years. But the 22-year-old did not play in their semi-finals that season, after being selected for Pakistan's tour of Zimbabwe.
His absence was felt, particularly his ability as a death bowler, with Lancashire losing the semi-final at Edgbaston to Leicestershire in a one-over eliminator.
According to Watkinson, securing Junaid in the team will provide a buffer for Lancashire’s bowlers.
"Glen Chapple, Saj Mahmood and Kyle Hogg bowled a lot of overs last season and if we get Junaid on board, he showed what he can do last season in the T20 competition and proved to be an outstanding performer bowling at the death. That's something we're a little bit short of, so we're looking forward to having him in the bag and then we can see where we are from there," he added.
Khan was signed on a meager contract last season, but his standout performance caught the attention of the Pakistan selectors who drafted the youngster into the test side.
