Haq all set to face Canada

Jul 2 2012 by Andy Newport, Paisley Daily Express

PAISLEY cricket star Majid Haq has been included in the Scotland squad to take on Canada in the upcoming Intercontinental Cup and World Cricket League.

The Paisley-born player, left, who has starred for both Ferguslie and Kelburne Cricket Clubs, is part of a 14-strong team picked ahead of next month’s clashes.

The Intercontinental Cup will take place at Uddingston from July 4 to 7, while the two World Cricket League matches will take place at the Grange in Edinburgh on July 9 to 11.

Left-handed batsman Haq, 29 – a former pupil at South Primary School in Paisley – currently plays domestic cricket with Clydesdale.

The Saltires squad, which will be captained by Gordon Drummond, also features contracted players Matthew Parker, Richie Berrington, Gordon Goudie and Ryan Flannigan.

The Saltires have also named several players who have been plying their trade south of the border – including seamer Alisdair Evans, who has been at county side Derbyshire, Preston Mommsen, who returns from Leicestershire, and Calum MacLeod, who will feature following his return from a spell at Northamptonshire.

Kyle Coetzer will be available, and joins the squad for the two World Cricket League matches in Edinburgh, with Middlesex’s Josh Davey named in both squads.

Ahead of these important fixtures skipper Drummond said: “We are looking to continue where we left off in the UAE in the Intercontinental Cup where we had a comfortable victory.

“Canada will obviously be challenging opposition, but in our conditions we are optimistic. Another victory would push us close to the top of the table and give us a shout at reaching the final once again.

“In the World Cricket League, after a couple of disappointing results against the UAE we will be looking to get back to winning ways with two matches against the same opposition. These are massive matches if we are going to reach the 2015 World Cup.

“We have a decent record against Canada at home and are confident of coming out on top.”

Full Scotland squad is as follows: Gordon Drummond (captain), Ryan Flannigan, Matthew Parker, Alisdair Evans, Richard Berrington, Majid Haq, Simon Smith, Gordon Goudie, Preston Mommsen, Calum MacLeod, Ewan Chalmers, Jan Stander, Moneeb Iqbal and Joshua Davey.

Meanwhile, Ferguslie’s overseas professional Malcolm Waller helped Zimbabwe win the T20 Tri Series that also involved South Africa and Bangladesh.

Waller picked up a wicket while bowling two economic overs as Zimbabwe defeated South Africa in the final match to claim overall glory.