Scotland have officially unveiled their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, stepping into the tournament following the exclusion of Bangladesh. The announcement marks a significant moment for the European side, who will now compete in the 20 team global event co hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Cricket Scotland confirmed a 15 member squad, led by experienced top order batter Richie Berrington, who will captain the side in the upcoming tournament. The squad reflects continuity and experience, with 11 players retained from the previous T20 World Cup held in the West Indies and the United States in 2024. Team officials believe this familiarity will help Scotland adapt quickly despite their late inclusion.
Several players are set to make their World Cup debut, including Tom Bruce, Finlay McCreath, and Oliver Davidson, adding fresh energy to the lineup. A notable inclusion is Afghanistan born fast bowler Zainullah Ihsan, who has earned his maiden international call up shortly after becoming eligible to represent Scotland.
In addition to the main squad, two travelling reserves and three non travelling reserves were also named. Cricket Scotland stressed that all selections remain subject to visa approvals, as the team received confirmation of their participation at short notice.
Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament followed a dispute with the International Cricket Council after the Bangladesh Cricket Board requested a venue change from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. After several rounds of negotiations, the ICC rejected the request, stating that no credible or verifiable threat had been identified, and ultimately replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in Group C.
Scotland will begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against West Indies on February 7 in Kolkata, followed by matches against Italy on February 9 and England on February 14. The team will then travel to Mumbai to face Nepal on February 17 in their final group stage fixture.
With a blend of experience and debutants, Scotland now look to make a strong impression on the world stage.
