Junaid Siddiqui: Canada’s ‘X-Man’ Set to Dazzle in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
Junaid Siddiqui, fondly known as ‘The X-Man’, is ready to showcase his signature leg spin in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, over a decade after his international debut for Canada.
Born and raised in Karachi, the 39-year-old all-rounder honed his skills playing street cricket before moving to Toronto at the age of 13. Now, Siddiqui is set to display his aggressive style and trademark ‘X’ celebration on the global stage as part of Canada’s first-ever T20 World Cup squad.
“I wanted to add a bit of flair to my game because I was always very aggressive. When I took wickets, I would run off the camera every single time on the left. My wife and I came up with the ‘X’ celebration to signify that the batter is out. It was well-received, and I just continued it,” Siddiqui shared.
He added, “When I started leg spin in T20s, not many spinners could come and bowl in the powerplay. I was unique in that way.”
Siddiqui, one of the first homegrown Canadian players to play first-class cricket, did so in Sri Lanka before being selected for his national team. He was recalled to the squad after his last international T20 in 2022 and is eagerly anticipating the opening match against the USA in Dallas.
“Playing in Sri Lanka was a huge experience for me. It motivated me to pursue cricket as a profession. I’m proud and happy that I was able to do it for so long and I’m still doing it,” he said.
He further added, “We don’t just want to participate in the World Cup, we want to make sure that we give our best. The selection was a big call. With my performances over the last two years, I was expecting it. When I found out, it was the best news of my life.”
Siddiqui, who has recently played for California Golden Eagles in the United States Premier League, 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 good wicket to bat on. The bowlers definitely have to be ready with these really good wickets. The facilities are good, you will see high-scoring games and it will be a really fun World Cup,” he said.
Throughout his career, Siddiqui has drawn inspiration from cricket idols Herschelle Gibbs and Abdul Qadir. However, his Muslim faith remains a constant source of strength. As he prepares for a group stage against the USA, Ireland, India, and his birth country Pakistan, he is relying on his belief and the support of his family to stay grounded.
“My belief came from my performances, staying consistent. My family’s 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,” he concluded.