Scotland are facing early challenges ahead of the T20 World Cup, after receiving a last-minute invitation to the tournament. The team is yet to secure a sponsor, with no logo currently featuring on their jerseys, adding to their concerns. However, the biggest hurdle at the moment is the visa process, which has put the Scottish camp under pressure even before they arrive in India.
Despite the uncertainty, Cricket Scotland remains optimistic that the team will reach India before the tournament begins. The presence of Pakistan-origin pacer Safyaan Sharif has resulted in additional scrutiny, as visa procedures for Pakistani nationals generally take longer. Cricket Scotland, however, has described the situation as “only a matter of time.”
Scotland were included in the World Cup after Bangladesh got barred due to security concerns. While the ICC has expressed confidence in Scotland’s assessment, it acknowledged that the late inclusion has left the team with limited preparation time.
Scotland are scheduled to play their first match against West Indies in Kolkata on 7th February. Speaking on the issue, Cricket Scotland chief Lindblad admitted there was some uncertainty regarding visas. He insisted that the duration, whether three days or 45, was not the main concern. Over the past 48 hours, the board’s primary focus has been completing visa applications as quickly as possible.
As a precaution, visas have also been applied for two travelling reserves and three non-travelling reserves. Head coach Steve Snell said the team is hopeful the process will be completed successfully, adding that it would benefit no one if a World Cup team failed to arrive on time.
Scotland will play warm-up matches against Afghanistan and Namibia in Bengaluru on 2 and 4 February. They have been placed in Group B, alongside England, Italy, and Nepal. The focus now remains on how swiftly the visa process is concluded.
