Scotland Express 'Sympathy' for Bangladesh After Unexpected T20 World Cup Entry

Scotland's sudden inclusion in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 has triggered mixed emotions, with Cricket Scotland expressing empathy for Bangladesh even as they prepare for an unexpected opportunity on the global stage.

After Bangladesh failed to respond within the ICC's deadline, the governing body removed them from the tournament, paving the way for Scotland's direct entry into Group C alongside England, West Indies, Italy and Nepal.

The decision set off a flurry of activity at Cricket Scotland's headquarters in Edinburgh. According to CEO Trudy Lindblade, the board had anticipated the possibility of such a scenario and had begun planning even before official confirmation arrived.

"It's been an extremely busy few days, particularly since Saturday

morning when I received a call from Sanjog (Gupta), which was the first official notification regarding our invitation to the World Cup," Lindblade said. She added that preliminary preparations had already begun after a board meeting earlier in the week, given the limited time before the tournament.

While Scotland welcomed the chance to compete, Lindblade made it clear that the circumstances were far from ideal. "We absolutely have sympathy for Bangladesh. This is not how we wanted to qualify, and no team wants to enter a World Cup under these circumstances," she said, acknowledging the unusual nature of their qualification.

With the tournament fast approaching, Scotland now faces a race against time to finalise logistics, squad selection and travel arrangements. Lindblade highlighted that assembling the team was the easiest part, while managing visas, flights, accommodation and sponsorship has been the real challenge. Despite winter conditions restricting outdoor training back home, the team has continued preparations indoors.

"People will have their views, and they're entitled to their views. All we know is that, you know, we have been invited to participate in the World Cup," Lindblade said, underlining Scotland's determination to make the most of the opportunity.

Scotland's Head of Performance, Steve Snell, echoed the excitement surrounding their group-stage fixtures, particularly high-profile clashes against England and West Indies. Reflecting on past setbacks in the European qualifiers, he said the team has grown stronger since then and is ready to compete.

As Scotland prepares for its World Cup campaign, the team balances gratitude for the opportunity with respect for Bangladesh's predicament, stepping into the tournament under circumstances that are as extraordinary as they are challenging.