Majid: Cup qualifier is more important than England clash

Mar 10 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

HEAVY rain prevented Scotland from causing a major upset in the world of One Day International Cricket the last time they took on England at the Citylets Grange in Edinburgh.

But for Paisley’s Majid Haq, he’s hoping the weather gods are smiling when the two nations meet in the very first Twenty20 game later this summer.

Scotland will meet the ‘Auld Enemy’ in the first of two warm-up matches ahead of the World Twenty20 Championships in June.

The historic fixture’s date was confirmed by the International Cricket Council, and will be played at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Tuesday, June 2, a day-night game starting at 5.30pm.

And while all-rounder Majid doesn’t plan to miss out on playing England this time, he reckons there are even bigger fish to fry over the next few weeks.

Majid, 26, and his Scotland team-mates travel to South Africa this Saturday as they prepare to take part in the World Cup qualifiers where they will meet Ireland, Namibia, Oman, Uganda and Canada.

Haq, who travelled to the West Indies and South Africa for the World Cup and Twenty 20 World Cup with the Saltires, said: “It would be awesome experience to play Twenty 20 against England this summer but like a lot of guys in the team, we know it’s a long way ahead and we need to qualify for the World Cup next month and everybody is concentrating on that.

“We’re not even thinking about England this summer because it’s a long way off.”

Even if Scotland do qualify for the prestigious trophy, there is a serious possibility that Pakistan will be stripped of the honour of hosting it.

Last week’s terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team has raised concerns about safety at the 2011 venue. And it looks likely that another nation will have to step in and take up the baton.

Cricket Scotland, the governing body in this country, announced they would love to provide a safe haven for Pakistan international fixtures, following the terrorist attack in Lahore.

Given that Pakistan will now become a virtual no-go area for international teams, Scotland has emerged as one of a number of possible venues for the Test nation, although unlikely candidates to host a World Cup competition.

Chief executive Roddy Smith said: “We have in the past hosted what’s called off-shore games, and recently had both India and Pakistan over here.

“Certainly, if the opportunity ever came along, we would like to host games, as it would be a great chance to showcase the game here.

“If they have to play the games outwith Pakistan, as now looks certain to be the case, we would be willing to speak with them about it.

“It would give the Scottish cricketing public another chance to see a top team.

“Over the past four or five years, we had the Indians, Pakistan, Australia and this year we’ve had England – every time the big teams come to Scotland, it gives the game a boost.”

And Majid, who is now with Clydesdale CC after leaving Ferguslie last year, has applauded Cricket Scotland’s ambitious proposal.

He said: “It would be good to see Pakistan play in Scotland but I think there is more chance of them playing in Dubai or Abu Dhabi as those two countries are closer.

“But it’s definitely showing forward-thinking on behalf of Cricket Scotland and they have to be applauded for trying their best to bring these test nations to Scotland. They deserve a lot of credit.”

Cricket Scotland will announce ticketing arrangements for the summer match with England in due course, but it is anticipated that many Scottish supporters will make the journey south in their vast numbers to support the Saltires in this important preparation fixture.

Scotland’s second warm-up match will be against the Netherlands the following day, Wednesday, June 3, starting at 3.30pm at The Oval, which is also the venue for both of Scotland’s initial pool games, against New Zealand on Saturday, June 6 and South Africa on Sunday, June 7.