Bashir ready for Kenya clash after surprise call

Clydesdale youngster Bashir admitted he was startled to get the nod from coach Pete Steindl after Gregor Maiden was forced home with a fractured finger.

The 20-year-old arrived in Holland yesterday and could feature in today's key clash against Kenya.

Bashir said: "I was one of a squad Clydesdale boys helping mop up at Titwood on Sunday after the monsoons when I got a text message from Pete Steindl inviting me out to Holland. We were busy trying to salvage a tent that had blown into the trees when the text came through so I was happy to leave the rest of them to it.

"The call came completely out of the blue and I was shocked at first, but obviously delighted because it is my ambition to play for Scotland.

"I just didn't think this amazing opportunity would come so soon and even when Gregor got injured it never entered my mind that I might be next in line."

Bashir has come up through the Cricket Scotland youth ranks and has played several games for Scotland Lions - the Saltires' understudies.

He added: "I've faced county second elevens a few times which is a pretty good standard so I think I will be ready if I'm lucky enough to get a game."

Bashir's opportunity could come sooner rather than later as Steindl is contemplating changes following Monday's defeat to Ireland.

The coach said: "We are having a think about the make-up of the team and may juggle things a bit. Our performance against Ireland wasn't good enough and we had a long chat after the game to highlight certain things.

"We need to come out fighting and try to win the first 45 minutes of each innings because we've not been good enough in the first ten overs either with bat or ball. Zeeshan has settled in really well - you wouldn't have known this was his first day with the squad.

"It helps that we have a few young guys that he played with before, but he is a naturally confident lad and we wouldn't have brought him here unless we were confident he could do a job if called upon."

Kenya have lost all three of their games to date and have no chance of reaching Saturday's final, but Steindl warned: "There is no way we can treat them lightly. They are a strong team and facing them is always a tough challenge."

The match goes ahead at Rotterdam's VOC Ground where the Scots hope to avoid the sort of pitch that ruined Monday's clash with the Irish at the VCC in Voorburg.