Sports Bulletin Report
Dallas (USA): Junaid ‘The X-Man’ Siddiqui’s signature leg spin is set to light up the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, more than a decade on from the Canada star’s international debut.
The 39-year-old all-rounder grew up playing street cricket amid the bustle of Karachi before moving to Toronto with his family at the age of 13.
Siddiqui will now showcase his trademark aggression at the crease as part of his country’s historic maiden T20 World Cup squad and is looking forward to displaying his distinguished ‘X’ celebration on after every wicket he takes.
Junaid Siddiqui said: “It was something to spice it up a little bit because I was very aggressive and when I was taking wickets, I would run off the camera every single time on the left. When I wanted to celebrate, me and my wife came up with something along the lines of an X to mark that the batter has gone. It’s more to save myself a bit of aggression and use it for one action. It came out well, people started liking and I just continued it. When I started leg spin in T20s, not many spinners could come and bowl in the powerplay. I was unique in that way.”
Siddiqui was one of the first homegrown Canadian players to play first-class cricket and did so in Sri Lanka before being selected for his national team. The right-hander was recalled to the squad having last played an international T20 in 2022 and is now relishing the prospect of the opening day showdown against the USA in Dallas.
“Playing in Sri Lanka was a huge experience for me because that motivated me so much. I played all my cricket in Canada where I couldn’t compete as much and there was not a lot of exposure, yet I was able to get picked in a first-class team. That gave me a huge boost where I thought I could pursue this as a profession. I’m proud and happy that I was able to do it for so long and I’m still doing it. There are setbacks, and every country has to face how to move forward beyond a World Cup and how to make a team – the process has happened over the last 13 years. We just don’t want to be a participant in the World Cup, we want to make sure that we go out there and be the best of us, we don’t want to be a passenger sitting in the bus. It (selection) was a big call. With what I have been doing for the last two years, I was expecting it one way or another because I had good performances behind me. When I found out, it was the best news of my life.”
Playing in a tournament close to home is one thing but knowing how to play on an American wicket is another and Siddiqui is prepared for exactly what to expect. The seasoned pro has recently played for California Golden Eagles in the United States Premier League and believes the American wickets will provide high-scoring contests.
“We have played on a few wickets like in Dallas and we know it’s a really good wicket to bat on with Major League playing there last year. The bowlers definitely have to be ready with these really good wickets. I’ve played a lot of cricket in the US on a contract and tournament basis and they have done a good job. The facilities are good, you will see high-scoring games and it will be a really fun World Cup.”
Siddiqui need not look far for cricket idols growing up with Herschelle Gibbs and Abdul Qadir providing much inspiration for his career of longevity. Still, the one constant in his life remains his Muslim faith. As he prepares for a group stage against the USA, Ireland, India and his birth country Pakistan, he is using his belief and the support of his family to remain grounded on the biggest of stages.
“My belief came from my performances, staying consistent. My parents and family gave me a lot of support and prayed for me, especially my wife. Their support made me want to keep going and that made a big difference. You work hard, you be humble, a kind person and leave everything in God’s hands. If it’s good, it will come to you, if it’s not, someone else will have it better.”
