MAJID Haq is poised to become Scotland's milestone man during this week's ODI series against Ireland in Malahide.
In tomorrow's opener, the 31-year-old off-spinner will beat Neil McCallum's record for the most appearances in one-day internationals, while becoming only the second Scot to earn 200 caps.
During the series he will have the opportunity to become the country's leading wicket-taker, seven scalps being sufficient to see him surpass assistant coach Craig Wright's record of 256. Later this year Haq should also eclipse Fraser Watt's landmark of 203 caps.
The Paisley-born player, who made his debut as a 19-year-old, could be forgiven for taking a moment to reflect on his many achievements. Yet he brushes aside any acclaim, stressing: "I'm not really interested in records - in fact, the only landmark that concerns me at the moment is beating Ireland 3-0. That, honestly, would mean much more to me than anything in the past.
"Ireland have maybe had the upper +hand in recent years though I believe we have closed the gap and are capable of beating them. But it is all very well saying that, we now have to go out there and do it."
This week's matches offer the Scots an opportunity to exact a measure of revenge following two defeats to their oldest cricketing foes a year ago. That double- header gave Scotland the chance of automatic qualification for the World Cup via the World Cricket League. In the event, the heartache of a last-ball defeat in the opening encounter paved the way for the Irish to win 2-0, plunging Scotland into the ICC World Cup qualifier in New Zealand last February.
The Scots, of course, won that tournament in fine style and Haq believes last year's defeats to Ireland may prove to be a blessing in disguise.
"You never want to lose any match and especially not to your closest rivals so last year's defeats hurt at the time, particularly when we should have won the first match. But a lot has happened in the intervening period, including the appointment of a new coach and winning the qualifying tournament. None of that might have happened if we had beaten Ireland twice so we have to look at the positives. I think we played some of our best cricket for a while in New Zealand and really took the chance to bond as a team and build a lot of spirit. We'll also be going back to New Zealand for the World Cup so playing out there has given us a taste of what to expect."
Haq and his colleagues go into battle without regular captain Kyle Coetzer, Leicestershire all-rounder Rob Taylor and Matt Machan who have county commitments. However, Preston Mommsen, player of the tournament at the World Cup qualifier, has recovered from a broken finger and will captain the team.
Scotland squad (v Ireland, Sept 8, 10 and 12, Malahide): Preston Mommsen (captain), Ali Evans, Calum MacLeod, Freddie Coleman, Hamish Gardiner, Iain Wardlaw, Josh Davey, Majid Haq, George Munsey, Matthew Cross, Michael Leask, Richie Berrington, Safyaan Sharif.
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