Zainullah Ihsan: Afghan-Born Pacer Earns Maiden Scotland Call-Up for T20 World Cup 2026

In a remarkable turn of events, Scotland have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, with Afghan-born fast bowler Zainullah Ihsan earning a historic maiden international call-up. The uncapped speedster headlines new head coach Owen Dawkins' first squad selection since taking charge last month.

Ihsan's Journey to International Cricket

Zainullah Ihsan's inclusion represents a significant milestone for both the player and Scottish cricket. Having recently qualified to represent Scotland, the pace bowler has impressed selectors with his performances at youth level and for the Scotland 'A' squad.

Steve Snell, head of performance at Cricket Scotland, expressed enthusiasm about the selection:

"There's obviously a great opportunity for Zainullah Ihsan, and whenever he's played at youth level or for the 'A' squad he's shown an exciting range of skills and bowled at genuine pace. We're delighted for him and excited to see how he performs on his first international tour."

Squad Composition and Leadership

Veteran all-rounder Richie Berrington will captain the side, bringing invaluable experience to what promises to be a challenging campaign. The selectors have maintained continuity, with 11 players from Scotland's 2024 World Cup squad in the West Indies and USA retained for this tournament.

First-Time World Cup Representatives

Alongside Ihsan, three other players are set to feature at a World Cup for the first time:

• Tom Bruce – Experienced campaigner making his World Cup debut
• Finlay McCreath – Rising talent who has impressed in recent T20 and ODI squads
• Oliver Davidson – Another promising addition to Scotland's World Cup contingent

Scotland's Dramatic Entry to the Tournament

Scotland's participation comes under extraordinary circumstances. The team was approached just last week to replace Bangladesh, who sought to have their matches relocated from India—a request the ICC declined to accommodate. As the next-highest ranked team, Scotland stepped in as 11th-hour entrants.

Coaching Staff Rally Under Pressure

Head coach Owen Dawkins acknowledged the frantic nature of the preparations:

"It's been a whirlwind forty-eight hours for everyone at Cricket Scotland, and I know Steve, Trudy Lindblade and everyone in the organisation have been working solidly to get everything sorted for the players and support staff since we learnt we would be participating at the World Cup."

Preparation Challenges and Mindset

Despite limited preparation time, Dawkins remains optimistic about Scotland's chances. The players had been engaged in a fitness phase under Scott Hislen, initially preparing for the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two series in Namibia scheduled for late March.

"We were about to begin transitions to more individual skills specific sessions and started with fielding sessions last week, but that has now been fast tracked with the news we received on Saturday."

The coach displayed a pragmatic approach to their preparation disadvantage:

"There is no doubt that other squads in the tournament will have had better opportunities to structure their preparation, and we are at peace with that. We have no doubt we have players in our squad that can make a real impact in this tournament, and we are excited to be going and competing in India."

Reserve Players and Administrative Matters

Scotland have named two travelling reserves in Jasper Davidson and Jack Jarvis, along with three non-travelling reserves: Mackenzie Jones, Chris McBride, and Charlie Tear. The final squad composition remains subject to visa approvals for all players and support staff.

Opening Fixture Against West Indies

Scotland will commence their World Cup campaign with a high-profile clash against West Indies at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on February 7. The venue promises an electric atmosphere for what will be a baptism of fire for the Scottish contingent.

Full Squad

Main Squad (15): Richie Berrington (c), 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

Looking Ahead

Scotland's unexpected World Cup berth presents both challenges and opportunities. While preparation time is severely limited, the squad possesses experienced campaigners who have competed at the highest level before. The inclusion of exciting talents like Zainullah Ihsan adds a fresh dimension to the bowling attack, and the team's ability to adapt quickly will be crucial in the opening stages of the tournament.

For Ihsan, this represents the beginning of what could be a storied international career. His journey from Afghanistan to the Scotland national team exemplifies cricket's global nature and the diverse pathways players take to reach the international stage.