Scotland enters the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 under extraordinary circumstances. After Bangladesh withdrew from the tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka due to security concerns, the Scots were drafted in as the next-highest ranked team.
Despite the last-minute call-up, Richie Berrington’s men are no strangers to the big stage, having pushed heavyweights like England and Australia to the brink in previous editions. Worldbazzi Here is a comprehensive look at how Scotland shapes up for the 2026 showpiece.
? The Official 15-Man Squad
New head coach Owen Dawkins has opted for a core of experienced veterans supplemented by a few exciting new faces.
Captain: Richie Berrington
Squad: Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (wk), Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal.
Traveling Reserves: Jasper Davidson, Jack Jarvis.
?️ Group C Fixtures
Scotland finds themselves in a challenging Group C alongside two former champions and two rising associate nations. All of Scotland's group matches will take place in India.
Date | Opponent | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
Feb 7 | West Indies | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 3:00 PM |
Feb 9 | Italy | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 11:00 AM |
Feb 14 | England | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 3:00 PM |
Feb 17 | Nepal | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:00 PM |
? Probable Starting XI
The Scottish lineup balances the explosive power of George Munsey with the technical stability of Richie Berrington and the finishing ability of Michael Leask.
George Munsey (LH Opener)
Brandon McMullen (Top-order Batter / RMF)
Richie Berrington (c) (Middle-order Batter)
Tom Bruce (Middle-order Batter)
Michael Jones (Batter)
Matthew Cross (wk)
Michael Leask (All-rounder / Off-spin)
Chris Greaves (All-rounder / Leg-spin)
Mark Watt (Left-arm Spinner)
Safyaan Sharif (RMF Bowler)
Bradley Wheal (Fast Bowler)
⭐ Key Players to Watch
1. Richie Berrington (The Talisman)
At 38, the captain remains the heartbeat of this team. His experience in navigating pressure situations is unparalleled in the Scottish setup. His ability to anchor an innings in the middle overs will be vital against the high-quality spin attacks of the subcontinent.
2. George Munsey (The Powerhouse)
Munsey’s "reverse sweep" and switch-hitting prowess make him a nightmare for bowlers in the Powerplay. If Scotland is to upset England or the West Indies, they need Munsey to provide explosive starts.
3. Mark Watt (The Spin Wizard)
Famous for his 24-yard deliveries and tactical intelligence, Watt is Scotland’s most potent weapon in Indian conditions. He excels at drying up runs and forcing errors, making him crucial during the middle-overs squeeze.
4. Zainullah Ihsan (The X-Factor)
The Afghan-born pacer is the only uncapped player in the squad. Having arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker, his journey to the national team is inspiring. He brings genuine pace and a "mystery" factor that could catch opponents off guard.
? Tournament Prediction
Ceiling: Super 8s | Floor: Group Stage Exit
Scotland's path to the Super 8s requires them to finish in the top two of Group C. This means they must win their matches against Italy and Nepal, and pull off a massive upset against either England or the West Indies.
Given their history of giant-killing and the spin-friendly conditions in Kolkata and Mumbai which suit Mark Watt and Chris Greaves, Scotland is more than capable of causing a stir. However, the lack of traditional preparation time due to the late invite might be their biggest hurdle.
Prediction: Scotland will likely finish 3rd in the group, narrowly missing the Super 8s, but they will almost certainly register at least two wins and potentially push one of the "Big Two" to a final-over thriller.
