Scotland's Majid Haq sent home from World Cup over race-related tweet

Majid Haq fielding during a World Cup warm-up match

Scotland’s all-time leading wicket-taker and the ‘slowest bowler in the world’ Majid Haq has been forced to take a speedy departure from the World Cup by the Scotland team management, after the Pakistani-origin bowler appeared to indicate on his Twitter account that his exclusion from the Sri Lanka match was based on grounds of race.

After not being selected for the 148-run defeat to Sri Lanka at Hobart on Tuesday, Haq tweeted: "Always tougher when you're in the minority! #colour #race".

The post has since been deleted, but Scottish authorities have already acted on the player’s indiscretion. Haq took a flight home from Melbourne on Tuesday.

Slowest bowler given fast send-off

Haq has taken 60 one-day international wickets and also holds his country's appearance record with 209 caps, but has drawn more attention in the ongoing edition of the World Cup for his bowling speed than his cricketing exploits.

Majid Haq, bowling with the wind behind him, has just been timed at 41.6mph.

— George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) February 26, 2015

He has collected just three wickets in four matches, while his best score with the bat is 31, made against fellow associate nation Afghanistan.

Scotland have lost all five of their matches - against New Zealand, England, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka - and have just one game remaining, against Australia in Hobart on 14 March.

In the last 24 hours, the spinner has also posted the following message on his Twitter account: "Make sure everybody in your 'boat' is rowing and not drilling holes when you're not looking. Know your circle."

Majid Haq tweeted “Always tougher when your in the minority!! #colour #race”. He has since deleted the post.

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 11, 2015

Majid Haq must become better cricketer before making allegations about why dropped. 4 matches, 3 wickets. Not good enough #CricketWorldCup

— James Pearce (@Pearcesport) March 11, 2015

I bet Majid Haq has gone home by boat...

— George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) March 11, 2015