The call came via screenshots of Bangladeshi journalists’ tweets. That’s how Mark Watt and the rest of the Scotland national cricket team, found out they were heading to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. A late entry, born from Bangladesh’s decision to boycott the tournament, it’s been a whirlwind few weeks for the Scots, a scramble for flights, visas, and even childcare.
“It was just so many screenshots… all the boys were just flying round saying ‘is this true? Is this going to be happening?’” Watt, a spinner going to his fifth T20 World Cup, told the BBC’s No Balls podcast. “It was like that scene in The Office – ‘it’s happening, it’s happening, stay calm.’”
The unexpected opportunity arrives after a disappointing qualifying campaign in the Netherlands last summer, where Scotland suffered defeats against Italy and Jersey. Watt admitted he’d already resigned himself to watching the tournament from afar. “It’s so surreal,” he said. “I did a chat at a local club and they were saying, ‘what are you going to do when the World Cup’s on?’ And I was like, ‘I’m not even going to watch any games because I’m still so gutted that we’re not playing in it.’”
The logistical challenges have been significant. Players, previously focused on individual fitness programs, were suddenly tasked with securing travel arrangements to the subcontinent on extremely short notice. Watt described the process as feeling like winning a “golden ticket,” referencing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and needing to be “on the flight tonight.” Teammate Leasky had a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Aberdeen to Edinburgh just to obtain his visa.
Cricket Scotland has been praised for its swift organization, but the team isn’t out of the woods yet. A particularly anxious wait surrounds the visa application of pace bowler Safyaan Sharif, who has Pakistani heritage. Recent difficulties experienced by England players Rehan Ahmed and Adil Rashid in obtaining Indian visas have heightened concerns. Sharif’s application, if he is selected for the squad, is a “major worry” given the limited timeframe.
“The visa piece is always slightly an unknown,” said Cricket Scotland chief executive Trudy Lindblade. “It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got three days or 45 days… certainly that’s been our focus in the last 48 hours is just getting those visas done.”
Beyond the visa hurdles, Scotland is also in a race against time to secure sponsorship and kit. Lindblade revealed a seven-day sprint to find sponsors, highlighting the financial pressures that often accompany late tournament entries for associate nations.
Scotland will open their World Cup campaign against West Indies on , just two weeks after their inclusion was confirmed. They are grouped with West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal in Group C. The top two teams from the group will advance to the Super 8s.
Despite the chaotic preparation, Watt expressed excitement about the opportunity and a belief in his team’s ability to compete. He emphasized the value of increased exposure for associate nations, arguing that matches against established Test-playing teams are crucial for development.
“Obviously I’ve got a bit of favouritism for their associates,” Watt said. “But I just think the more the merrier. You see these Test-playing nations play against each other so often, it’s a little bit samey and I think it’s really refreshing when the associates come to play against these big teams.”
He acknowledged that results haven’t always gone their way in the past, but stressed the importance of these encounters as learning experiences. “It’s the only way these teams and ourselves are going to learn how to play against them,” Watt explained. “So it’s a great learning curve, but also, we’re not there just to learn, but we’re there to beat teams.”
Scotland is one of five European sides competing in the tournament, and one of nine associate ICC members. Their warm-up matches against Afghanistan and Namibia provided valuable preparation, but the real test begins on Saturday against a formidable West Indies side. The team’s late inclusion and the challenges they’ve overcome to reach India have undoubtedly added an extra layer of motivation as they aim to make their mark on the global stage.
