He is the inventor of the famous ‘Dilscoop’ — an audacious stroke which is played over the head — that first hit the headlines during the 2009 World Twenty20. There is no doubt when a seasoned campaigner like TILLAKARATNE DILSHAN is on song, Sri Lanka usually dominate.

Former captain Dilshan’s presence at the top of the order plus his useful off-spin bowling is one of the key factors of Sri Lanka being one of the form teams at the moment. And despite being well past his 38th birthday Dilshan remains one of the fittest cricketers on the international arena.

The rival teams fear this man and nobody can testify more than Mitchell Johnson who saw being clattered for six successive boundaries in an over at the SGC last Sunday.

In September 2014, MAJID HAQ passed 200 caps for Scotland before his 32nd birthday. He became only the second Scot to reach the landmark, after Craig Wright, and their most capped player in ODI cricket. Haq immediately celebrated by taking his maiden ODI five-wicket haul in a victory over Ireland.

MAJID HAQ

He has established himself as one of the craftiest spinners beyond the Test world. He has performed reliably during Scotland’s limited matches against Test opposition, taking 4-28 in a narrow defeat to the West Indies in 2007.

Born in Paisley in the west Lowlands, Haq is of Pakistani descent. He grew up playing with his cousin, Omer Hussain, who also had a brief Scotland career.

He is a left-handed batsman who bowls off-spin with accuracy.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play