All you need to know about Scotland, Bangladesh’s replacement at the 2026 T20 World Cup

With visas pending and preparations under way, the European side says it is “absolutely ready to go”.

Visa focus ahead of India travel

Cricket Scotland is optimistic that all players, including fast bowler Safyaan Sharif, will receive Indian visas in time for the tournament opener on February 7.

Sharif, born in Huddersfield to a Pakistani father and British-Pakistani mother before moving to Scotland at the age of seven, is part of the 15-man squad unveiled on Monday.

Cricket Scotland chief executive Trudy Lindblade said the process remains unpredictable but work is progressing rapidly.

She noted that the International Cricket Council can only provide assurances on matters within its control and is coordinating with the Board of Control for Cricket in India and local authorities to support all participating teams.

Lindblade said visa submissions were the immediate focus over the past 48 hours, adding that the squad would reach India as soon as logistics were finalised.

She underlined that a dedicated team was working intensively not only for Scotland but for all 20 teams in the tournament.

Late entry after Bangladesh withdrawal

Scotland were drafted into the 20-team competition after the ICC replaced Bangladesh, whose cricket board declined to send its team to India citing security concerns amid political tensions.

The Scottish side qualified as the highest-ranked team in the ICC T20I rankings not already assured of a World Cup berth. They will take Bangladesh’s place in Group C.

Group C challenge and opening fixture

Placed alongside England, West Indies, Nepal and tournament debutants Italy, Scotland will begin their campaign against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on February 7.

Scotland have previously featured in six of the nine editions of the T20 World Cup, appearing in 2007, 2009, 2016, 2021, 2022 and 2024.

Recent form and World Cup pedigree

Scotland finished fourth in the European Qualifier, behind Netherlands and Italy, who claimed the two available regional spots, with Jersey finishing third.

Despite missing direct qualification, Scotland impressed at the 2024 T20 World Cup.

They were well placed against England before rain intervened after reaching 90 without loss from 10 overs in Barbados, and later pushed Australia before being eliminated on net run-rate as England progressed.

 Squad selection and leadership

 Richie Berrington will captain the side, with 11 players retained from Scotland’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad in the Caribbean and the United States.

 The selection was overseen by new men’s head coach Owen Dawkins.

 Zainullah Ihsan, an Afghan-born fast bowler who recently became eligible, is the only first-time call-up. Tom Bruce, Finlay McCreath and Oliver Davidson also make the travelling party after featuring in T20 and ODI squads over the past year.

Two travelling reserves and three non-travelling reserves have been named to cover any late changes.

Main squad: Richie Berrington (captain), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Brad Currie, Oli Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Brad Wheal.

Travelling reserves: Jasper Davidson, Jack Jarvis.

Non-travelling reserves: Mackenzie Jones, Chris McBride, Charlie Tear.