Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has been appointed as a consultant for the Scotland men’s cricket team ahead of their upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 (CWCL2) tour of Nepal, scheduled to begin on May 12.
The former Pakistan batter will work closely with Scotland head coach Owen Dawkins during the crucial ODI series, where Scotland will face both the Nepal national cricket team and the United States national cricket team.
Azhar Ali Excited to Reconnect with Scottish Cricket
Speaking after his appointment, Azhar Ali expressed his excitement about joining the Scottish setup and reconnecting with a country that played an important role in his early cricket career.
The former Pakistan skipper revealed that he spent six seasons playing club cricket for Huntly Cricket Club in Aberdeenshire during the early stages of his professional journey.
“I am really looking forward to linking up with the Scotland team, especially since I have an association with Scottish cricket going back many years from my early playing days,” Azhar said.
“I’m excited to start working with what is clearly a talented team and looking forward to helping them to progress on this tour.”
Azhar Ali’s International Career
Azhar Ali enjoyed a highly successful international career with the Pakistan national cricket team, representing the country in 97 Test matches and 53 One-Day Internationals.
Known for his consistency and calm leadership, Azhar also captained Pakistan in ODI cricket and remains one of the country’s most respected red-ball batters.
Scotland Eye World Cup Qualification Push
The Nepal tour carries major importance for Scotland as they continue their campaign in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 standings. Scotland currently sit second on the table behind the USA and are aiming to strengthen their chances of qualifying for next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Global Qualifier.
The tri-series will be played at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Nepal, featuring six ODI matches between Scotland, Nepal, and the United States.
Scotland Fixtures for Nepal Tour
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| May 12 | Scotland vs Nepal | TU Cricket Ground |
| May 14 | Scotland vs United States | TU Cricket Ground |
| May 18 | Scotland vs Nepal | TU Cricket Ground |
| May 20 | Scotland vs United States | TU Cricket Ground |
