Scotland Names Squad for T20 World Cup After Late Call-Up

When opportunity knocks at the last minute, you answer with your best game face. Scotland's cricket team just did exactly that, announcing their 15-player squad for the ICC T20 World Cup with barely two days to prepare after replacing Bangladesh in the tournament.

Captain Richie Berrington will lead a squad that blends experience with fresh talent. Eleven players return from Scotland's 2024 T20 World Cup campaign in the West Indies and USA, bringing valuable international tournament experience to the team.

The standout addition is Zainullah Ihsan, an Afghan-born fast bowler who recently qualified to play for Scotland and earns his first international call-up. Head of performance Steve Snell praised Ihsan's genuine pace and exciting skill set demonstrated in youth and development squads.

Three other players will experience their first World Cup: Tom Bruce, Finlay McCreath, and Oliver Davidson. All three have represented Scotland in T20 and ODI formats over the past year, making this unexpected opportunity a natural next step in their careers.

New head coach Owen Dawkins made the selection in his first major decision since joining Cricket Scotland last month. He acknowledged the whirlwind nature of the situation but emphasized the privilege of competing on cricket's biggest stage.

The team faces a unique logistical challenge. All player and staff visa applications must be approved before travel, a tall order given the compressed timeline. Scotland selected two travelling reserves and three non-travelling reserves to maintain flexibility as the situation develops.

The Bright Side

This last-minute entry transforms what could have been a tournament disappointment into a breakthrough moment for Scottish cricket. Players who were preparing for a different competition in March suddenly find themselves heading to a World Cup, with careers potentially changed in an instant.

The tournament draw places Scotland in Group C alongside defending champions England, West Indies, tournament newcomers Italy, and Nepal. Each match offers a chance to showcase Scottish cricket on the world stage and inspire the next generation of players back home.

Scotland's rapid mobilization shows the team's professionalism and readiness. After Bangladesh withdrew due to security concerns about playing in India, Cricket Scotland's staff worked around the clock to finalize squad selections, coordinate logistics, and prepare players for competition in less than two weeks.

For Ihsan especially, this represents a dream fulfilled faster than anyone could have imagined. His journey from Afghanistan to representing Scotland at a World Cup celebrates the global nature of cricket and the opportunities it creates for talented athletes worldwide.

The tournament begins February 7, giving Scotland's squad just days to secure visas, travel to India and Sri Lanka, and prepare for their opening match.