Cricket Scotland spent the weekend in controlled chaos. On Saturday the ICC rang to say Bangladesh were out of the men’s T20 World Cup and, as the highest-ranked side not already qualified, Scotland were in. Their first match is on 7 February – less than a fortnight away.
Chief executive Trudy Lindblade admitted the circumstances are far from ideal and spared a thought for the side her players will replace. “We certainly have for the Bangladesh team,” she said on Monday. “Obviously, this is not how we wanted to go to a World Cup. There is a qualification process and nobody wants to qualify or attend or be invited to a World Cup in the way that we have done. We acknowledge it is certainly unique circumstances by our participation, and we do feel for the Bangladesh players.”
Bangladesh’s government maintained a long-running reluctance to tour India, requesting their group games be moved to Sri Lanka. The ICC could not shift fixtures at such short notice and instead activated its regulations: the next team on the rankings list got the nod. For Scotland, beaten by Italy and Jersey at last summer’s Europe Regional Final, it was an unexpected lifeline.
Some observers have called the route a “back door”. Lindblade was pragmatic. “I wouldn’t use those words… People will have their views and they are entitled to their views. All we know is that we have been invited to participate in the World Cup. We are a team that is ranked 14th in the world. We are also a strong team that plays consistently throughout the year.”
She added: “That World Cup [qualifier] for us was not how we normally play, and therefore we are just pleased to be at this World Cup… We are happy to step in, although it is unique and challenging circumstances and we absolutely recognise that.”
Paperwork is the first opponent. India’s visa process can drag, yet the ICC has promised to fast-track applications. Warm-up fixtures against Afghanistan (2 February) and Namibia (4 February), both in Bengaluru, remain in place. Players fly this weekend.
“It’s been a really busy couple of days for us,” Lindblade admitted. “In the office today, it is all hands on deck…”
Thirty-odd staff cover coaching, admin and development work. Several are already abroad with the men’s Under-19s and the women, who are chasing their own T20 qualification in Nepal. “The Cricket Scotland team is just over 30 staff – that’s everything from our coaching staff to office staff and our development team – so we’re not very big. This is a lot to do also when we’ve got two teams touring: we’ve got the [men’s] Under-19s currently playing, and we cannot lose focus from our women in Nepal, who also are trying to qualify for a T20 World Cup.”
The hours have been punishing. “Our team is completely inundated with trying to make sure we get our team there, but also we can’t do that without the help of the ICC. We’ve been almost working around the clock… There have been messages on a WhatsApp group at all hours of the night. There might be a three-hour window when none of us are working.”
Selectors met over the weekend and will confirm a 15-man squad later today. The core is unlikely to change: Richie Berrington still captains, with George Munsey and Michael Jones expected at the top of the order and Mark Watt heading the spin attack. All have recent experience in Indian conditions thanks to county or franchise stints, though the frantic build-up leaves little time for a formal training camp.
Analysis
Qualifying this way is hardly romantic, yet Scotland would argue they were unlucky in last July’s regional final – rain and a slow surface in Edinburgh neutralised their power game. On rankings they sit above Italy, Jersey and even Test nation Zimbabwe. The squad is settled and, in T20, small margins can overturn reputation quickly. Their biggest headache is logistical, not tactical.
For Bangladesh the decision is more complicated. Government travel advisories are political terrain and players have little say. In the meantime, Scotland prepare at pace, grateful for the chance but mindful of the awkward path taken to get there.
