THIS time last year Majid Haq was reflecting on Clydesdale's third consecutive near miss in their long wait to lift the Western Union title.
On a personal level, Haq was perhaps consoled by the enticing prospect of a busy winter schedule which would conclude with an appearance at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Twelve months on, the 32-year-old all-rounder can look back with pride on a mission accomplished as far as Clydesdale's pursuit of domestic success is concerned.
However, Haq's international future is now the subject of considerable uncertainty following the extraordinary events Down Under which saw him sent home from the World Cup and which have cast a dark shadow over his sporting and personal life ever since.
Suspended and investigated by Cricket Scotland and led to believe he would face a disciplinary tribunal, Haq refused to apologise. Yet, following his instruction of high-profile lawyer Aamer Anwar, he was reinstated with no explanation.
Haq has nevertheless not been welcomed back into the fold.
Indeed, as his former international colleagues were struggling in their Intercontinental Cup clash with Holland during the week, the country's record cap holder and leading wicket-taker was contemplating a life after cricket.
Meetings with Cricket Scotland officials over the course of the next few weeks will determine the Paisley star's future but he is not holding his breath and, having completed an accountancy degree eight years ago, recently enrolled in a refresher course so that he is prepared to pursue a new profession when the time comes.
Yet there are many – including the player himself – who believe Haq may be entering his best years as a cricketer.
Certainly his performances during Clydesdale's triumphant Western Union campaign would appear to support that view.
With 29 victims in eleven matches, Haq was the third leading wicket-taker in the Premier Division, producing the two best performances with 8-20 and 7-10, while he had both the best bowling average of 4.45 and best economy rate at a miserly 1.77.
He also chipped in with 312 runs opening the batting to be third in the averages as well as captaining Clydesdale with tactical nous and imagination.
At the time when Haq posted that now infamous race-related World Cup tweet his economy rate against some of the best batsmen on the planet was 4.88 runs an over in a tournament when many bowlers were being systematically taken apart.
His rearguard action with the bat, scoring 31 against Afghanistan, also put the Scots in contention for a first-ever World Cup win, though the opportunity was missed.
Such statistics present a compelling case for Haq's continued participation at the highest level.
He said: "This has been a fantastic season for Clydesdale and I'm extremely proud of my contribution to their success.
"But it is really only when I've been playing cricket that I've been able to forget the cloud that has been hanging over me because of the Scotland situation and I've been grateful to everyone who has supported me especially my family, Aamer Anwar and [former team-mate] Sandy Strang.
"Playing for my country has been part of my life for the last twenty years and you don't easily lose that attachment. I certainly don't want it to end this way.
"I think I have shown in my performances that I still have a lot to offer with bat and ball. My best years could still be to come and I sincerely hope Cricket Scotland feel the same way.
"If I'm feeling wanted, I'll give it everything as I have done over the years."
While still in limbo as far as his international career is concerned, Haq has further ambitions for a Clydesdale team which could be ready to dominate the club scene in the west.
The fairy-tale of a first Grand Final success eluded the Titwood club when they lost to Grange last weekend but Haq said: "That has made us more determined to come back stronger, defend our Western Union title and try again in the national final.
"The great thing about our team is that there are a lot of young guys still improving and they will only benefit from their experience this year."
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