‘This is not how we wanted to go’:Cricket Scotland expresses sympathy for Bangladesh, announces T20 World Cup squad after late replacement

A couple of days after ICC confirmed Scotland as a replacement for Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup, the associate nation announced its squad for the tournament with Robert Berrington as captain, late on Monday. Scotland unveiled their 15-member squad that is set to kick off its World Cup campaign on 7th February against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The European side was added to the T20 World Cup after the International Cricket Council replaced Bangladesh with the European side (Scotland), after the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) refusal to send its team to India for the marquee tournament due to security concerns. Even Cricket Scotland expressed its sympathy for Bangladesh. ‘This is not how we wanted to go’: Cricket Scotland expresses sympathy for Bangladesh Cricket Scotland’s chief executive, Trudy Lindblade, said on the late replacement, “We certainly have for the Bangladesh team. Obviously, this is not how we wanted to go to a World Cup. There is a qualification process, and nobody wants to qualify, attend or be invited to a World Cup in the way that we have done. “We acknowledge that it is certainly unique circumstances by our participation, and we do feel for the Bangladesh players,” she further added. Scotland to play WC with new coach Owen Dawkins With new head coach Owen Dawkins taking charge and under Richie Berrington’s captaincy, Scotland have named their squad for their seventh appearance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The European side had also participated in the inaugural edition of the tournament, nearly two decades back in 2007. Zainullah Ihsan is a first-time call-up, having recently qualified to play for Scotland. However, another player that’s worth noting is former New Zealand international Tom Bruce, who is expected to boost the team’s batting lineup. The 34-year-old Bruce has featured in 17 T20Is for the Black Caps before deciding to play for Scotland. The European nation has previously participated in six of the nine editions of the T20 World Cup (2007, 2009, 2016, 2021, 2022, 2024). Scotland for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad: Richie Berrington (captain), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal. Travelling reserves: Jasper Davidson, Jack Jarvis. Non-travelling reserves: Mackenzie Jones, Chris McBride, Charlie Tear. Safyaan Sharif’s case stuck in visa clearance Fast bowler Safyaan Sharif was born in Huddersfield, England. His father is Pakistani, and his mother is British-Pakistani. He moved to Scotland at the age of 7. Due to this Pakistani connection, there is apprehension of a delay in his visa. As a precaution, Scotland has also kept 2 travelling and 3 non-travelling reserve players, so that the team can take to the field in case of any delay.