Cricket: Scotland just couldn’t Haq it

Jun 15 2009 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

SPIN king Majid Haq has insisted he loved the experience of playing in the Twenty20 World Cup – despite Scotland suffering humiliation at the hands of one of the world’s cricketing super-powers.

The Paisley-born ace was one of Scotland’s few success stories as they bowed out of the competition, which is taking place in England.

Defeats dished out by New Zealand and South Africa meant the Scots did not make it through to the Super Eight stages.

However, off-spinner Haq – who is nicknamed ‘Magic’ – reckons the overall experience could help the Saltires in future competitions.

He told Express Sports: “The first match against New Zealand was a double disappointment for me.

“I wasn’t selected to play but looked on excitedly as we built up an impressive lead.

“The match was cut to just seven overs for each side because of the poor weather but we still managed to set them a target of 90 runs.

“I don’t care who you are playing or what the competition is – a team should be able to defend that sort of advantage.”

Haq did get a chance to show what he can do in the next match against South Africa – and was in fine form with the ball.

The 26-year-old former Ferguslie star – who now plays for top flight outfit Clydesdale but still lives in Paisley – said: “When we played South Africa, we knew we were facing one of the best teams in the world.

“We were realistic in our expectations because all of our players work from Monday to Friday, while the South Africans are amongst the highest paid professionals in the world.

“It’s a bit like a Scottish Third Division team playing against the Old Firm and it showed because they destroyed us, although I was happy with the way I played.

“I managed to bowl out both Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis in the space of just four balls, which was pleasing.”

Haq admits he is disappointed the Scots only had the opportunity to play two matches at the high-profile tournament.

He said: “This was my second experience of the Twenty20 World Cup and it’s fantastic but it would be far better if we were allowed to play more games. It’s all over so quickly.

“What made it worse was that the opening match was something of a lottery because it was cut to just seven overs per side.”

The Scots took on New Zealand at The Oval in that opener and did well initially, giving the talented Kiwis a 90-run target by hammering 89 blistering runs for the loss of four wickets.

However, the Kiwis stormed back to win by seven wickets, despite Scots ace Kyle Coetzer remaining at the crease until the last ball.

Paisley all-rounder Craig Wright, 35, grabbed a wicket as the Scots aimed to restrict New Zealand’s total but their opponents proved too strong to handle.

In their second match, Haq and company suffered a 130-run loss at the hands of the South Africans.

The Saltires racked-up the second lowest score in the event’s history, ahead of just lowly Kenya, as South Africa won at a canter.

South Africa’s total – their highest in this format of the game – was achieved by a stunning display of hitting towards the end of their innings by AB de Villiers, which helped them add 83 runs from the final five overs.

Haq was instrumental in halting the progress of South African openers Smith and Kallis, dismissing both batsmen in the space of four balls.

Kallis, who scored a superb 48 off 31 balls, was bowled off an inside edge attempting a drive down the ground and Smith fell at the end of that over for 38 as he mistimed an attempted sweep.

Of his future with Clydesdale, Haq said: “It’s a fresh challenge and something I’m looking forward to.”