Scotland Announce 15-Member T20 World Cup 2026 Squad; Richie Berrington To Lead

Scotland announced their T20 World Cup 2026 squad, with leadership continuity, a surprise Afghan refugee inclusion, and visa concerns surrounding Safyaan Sharif.

Scotland officially announced their squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on Monday, capitalising on the unexpected opportunity created by Bangladesh’s exit from the tournament. The team named a strong 15-member squad along with travelling and non-travelling reserves for the global event, which is scheduled to begin on February 7.

The squad will be led by experienced all-rounder Richie Berrington, who continues as Scotland’s captain. Berrington is the most seasoned player in the setup, having featured in over 100 T20 Internationals and more than 130 One-Day Internationals. He also holds the record for the most T20I runs scored for Scotland and was appointed full-time captain in 2022.

Alongside established players such as Matthew Cross, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, and Michael Leask, Scotland have handed a maiden call-up to 19-year-old Afghanistan-born refugee pacer Zainullah Ihsan. The young fast bowler has impressed in the Scotland ‘A’ setup and quickly became a standout prospect.

Scotland’s T20 World Cup Squad

Richie Berrington, 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

With just over a week remaining before the tournament begins, the squad reflects a healthy mix of youth and experience. However, Scotland’s preparation has not been without challenges.

Matthew Cross, who serves as vice-captain and wicketkeeper, remains one of the most reliable players in the squad and provides stability at the top of the batting order. Left-arm pacer Bradley Currie continues to be a key new-ball option after impressing in both T20I and ODI formats with his consistency and wicket-taking ability.

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All-rounder Michael Leask adds further depth with his off-spin bowling and powerful hitting in the death overs, while Chris Greaves strengthens the spin department. George Munsey, known for his explosive starts, will be a crucial figure at the top of the order.

Safyaan Sharif brings vast experience to the side, having taken 113 wickets in 90 ODIs and 85 wickets in 75 T20Is for Scotland. His availability, however, remains subject to visa clearance.

Backed by experience and emerging talent, Scotland now turn their focus to final preparations as they gear up for their opening match against West Indies on February 7, 2026.