Abtaha Maqsood: 'Reaching a World Cup After Ten Years of Struggle Feels Great'

Emotional Journey

Abtaha Maqsood found herself overwhelmed with emotions as Scotland inched closer to securing their first-ever spot in the T20 Women's World Cup. She admitted it was hard to keep her composure during those crucial moments, even having to step away from the tense atmosphere. Reflecting on this experience, she described it as the pinnacle of “one of the best months” of her life.

The pivotal moment came in May when Scotland triumphed over Ireland by eight wickets in the semi-finals of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi. This victory secured their place on the global stage. Although they later lost to Sri Lanka in the final, the significance of their achievement remained unchanged—Scotland had qualified for their first T20 Women's World Cup. 

Scotland's impressive run chase was built on a strong opening partnership between Saskia Horley and Megan McColl, who contributed a half-century off 47 balls. Kathryn Bryce’s exceptional bowling, with figures of 4 for 8, limited Ireland to 110 for 9. It was Bryce’s unbeaten 35 that ultimately sealed the win for Scotland. Maqsood recalled her emotions during the match, admitting that the partnership between Megan and Saskia gave her hope that qualification was within reach. She confessed to stepping out of the tent for a brief moment, unable to contain her nerves, but described the overwhelming joy that followed their historic victory. The celebrations with the team, waving Scottish flags, were moments she said she could hardly put into words.

As a key figure in the tournament, Maqsood ended among the top five wicket-takers, alongside her teammate Bryce. Maqsood’s standout performance was her 3 for 10 against Uganda, while Rachel Slater led the team with 11 wickets. Now that Scotland has secured their place in the World Cup, they are determined to showcase their talent on the world stage.

Preparation and Hardships

Maqsood emphasised the importance of their qualification, noting that many had not expected Scotland to reach the World Cup. She acknowledged the unique challenge her team faces, as not all members are professional cricketers, which makes this achievement even more significant. While many might be content with merely qualifying, Maqsood made it clear that Scotland is not there just to participate—they are there to compete and demonstrate their skills. For her, proving that Scotland is a legitimate contender is a top priority.

Scotland has already begun their preparations for the tournament, acclimatising to the intense heat in Dubai as they gear up for the World Cup, which starts on October 3. Fortunately, the team is no stranger to the conditions, having played in the UAE during the qualifiers. Maqsood herself delivered a career-best performance of 4 for 30 in an ODI tri-series match against the USA just before the T20 qualifiers, which boosted her confidence going into the World Cup.

However, Scotland’s path to the World Cup has not been without its difficulties. Maqsood highlighted the persistent struggles the team has faced, including a lack of fixtures and funding, which often left them under-prepared for major tournaments. This time, though, Scotland had a solid two-week preparation period in the UAE, allowing them to build momentum and feel more confident heading into the qualifiers. Maqsood expressed her relief at finally being able to represent her country on the global stage after years of challenges.

Looking to the future, Maqsood believes that larger, wealthier cricket nations have a role to play in helping teams like Scotland develop. She pointed out that Associate Members like Scotland often struggle to get fixtures against top-tier teams like Australia, England, and New Zealand, simply because they don’t have the same Full Member status. Maqsood urged the bigger teams to support smaller nations by organising more matches, which would help grow the sport globally. She added that for many Associate Members, financial constraints and scheduling difficulties pose significant barriers to progress.

Transition to Professional Cricket

While the majority of Scotland’s team members are not full-time professionals, Maqsood’s situation is quite different. She has temporarily put her dentistry degree on hold to focus entirely on cricket. Playing professionally in England, she helped the Sunrisers reach their first-ever Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final and has also competed for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred. Maqsood reflected on how much her life has changed over the past few years, noting that she never imagined she would be able to call cricket her profession. 

Though dentistry was initially her primary focus, the opportunity to pursue cricket at a professional level shifted her priorities. Maqsood expressed immense gratitude for the chance to live her dream, acknowledging that not many people get the opportunity to turn their passion into a career. For her, the journey to the World Cup represents not just personal success but a collective triumph for Scotland’s cricket community.