EDINBURGH — In the bustling streets of Peshawar, Pakistan, a young Afghan refugee named Zainullah Ihsan learned the art of cricket not with a leather ball on manicured turf, but with a homemade "tapeball" on dusty, uneven ground. Today, that same player is preparing to walk onto the world's grandest cricketing stages, selected for Scotland's squad in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA.
Ihsan's journey from a tapeball enthusiast in a refugee settlement to a professional cricketer representing a nation is a story of raw talent, improbable timing, and profound resilience. It is a narrative that transcends sport, embodying the dreams of displaced communities and the transformative power of opportunity.
From Dust to Dreams: The Tapeball Beginnings
Born in Afghanistan, Ihsan's family fled conflict when he was just a child, finding refuge across the border in Pakistan. It was there, in the cricket-obsessed city of Peshawar, that his love for the game was forged. With formal equipment a luxury, he, like millions of children across South Asia, turned to the tapeball—a tennis ball tightly wrapped in electrical tape to mimic the swing and seam of a professional cricket ball.
"We played everywhere—in the streets, in any open space we could find," Ihsan has recalled. The tapeball game is fast, unpredictable, and demands quick reflexes, skills that would later become his trademark. "You learn to play late, to react quickly. It teaches you things a hardball sometimes doesn't."
Despite his obvious talent, a pathway to professional cricket seemed a distant dream. His status as a refugee, without formal citizenship, presented seemingly insurmountable barriers to entering official domestic structures in either Pakistan or Afghanistan. For years, his explosive batting and handy off-spin bowling remained a local secret, confined to club games and tapeball tournaments.
A New Home and a Net Session That Changed Everything
In 2018, seeking stability and a future, Ihsan and his family were granted asylum and resettled in Glasgow, Scotland. The climate and culture were a world away from Peshawar, but cricket remained his constant. He began playing for local club Ferguslie in the Scottish west district, where his powerful hitting immediately turned heads.
The pivotal moment arrived in the summer of 2021. A friend managed to secure him an invitation to a net session with the Scottish national team, then preparing for the T20 World Cup later that year. With nothing to lose, Ihsan walked into the nets, a relative unknown facing the country's best bowlers.
What happened next has entered Scottish cricket folklore. Facing international-level pace and spin, Ihsan unleashed a breathtaking display of clean, aggressive batting. Former Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer, who witnessed the session, described it as unforgettable. "He came in and just smacked it. The power, the timing—it was immediately clear he was a special talent."
The national team's coaching staff, led by Shane Burger, were stunned. Here was a player of undeniable international quality, who had simply never been on the system's radar. His journey from that first net session to national call-up was remarkably swift. Key steps included:
- Immediate Integration: He was fast-tracked into training squads and performance programs.
- Domestic Dominance: He excelled for Ferguslie and in Scottish domestic competitions.
- International Debut: In July 2022, just over a year after that fateful net, he made his T20I debut for Scotland against New Zealand.
- World Cup Qualification: He became a regular in the side that successfully navigated the qualifying tournament to reach the 2024 World Cup.
The Pride of Two Nations: Embracing Scotland
For Ihsan, representing Scotland is a profound point of pride and gratitude. He has spoken emotionally about the welcome and opportunity the country has given him and his family. "Scotland is my home now. They gave me a chance when I had none, and I want to repay that faith on the cricket field," he said.
His selection is also a point of immense pride for Scotland's cricketing community, which has a strong history of integrating players from diverse backgrounds. Coach Doug Watson has highlighted not just Ihsan's power-hitting, but his crucial role as a versatile all-rounder and his positive energy within the squad. "He brings that X-factor. He can change a game with the bat in a few overs, and his off-spin is more than handy. He's a fantastic character to have around."
Ihsan's story resonates far beyond the boundary rope. He has become an inspirational figure for refugees and migrants in Scotland and across the UK, demonstrating that new beginnings can harbor extraordinary potential. His journey underscores the importance of accessible talent pathways and the rich contributions newcomers can make to their adopted communities.
A World Cup Stage Awaits
As Scotland gears up for a challenging T20 World Cup campaign in a group featuring England, Australia, Namibia, and Oman, Ihsan is poised to be a secret weapon. His unorthodox, tapeball-honed skills—the ability to improvise, to attack from ball one, to bowl clever variations—are perfectly suited to the fast-paced, unpredictable nature of T20 cricket.
From the dust of Peshawar to the floodlights of a World Cup stadium, Zainullah Ihsan's ascent is more than a sporting fairytale. It is a testament to human spirit and talent flourishing when given a chance. When he dons the thistle of Scotland on the global stage, he will carry with him the hopes of a nation that embraced him and the dreams of countless others who see their own story reflected in his remarkable rise.
As he himself puts it, with characteristic humility and focus: "I just want to play my part for Scotland. To help the team win. That’s all that matters now." For a player whose first net session was just three years ago, the next chapter of his incredible journey is about to be written on the world's biggest cricketing canvas.