Scotland back for second shot at World Cup spotlight

Two years after their first Women's World Cup appearance of any kind, Scotland return to the grand stage with hopes of a better showing. In the 2024 edition, they suffered four straight losses. This year, they make it back as part of a bigger participating pool. And they've done so by winning five out of seven games in the Global Qualifier.

That was sandwiched between a quadrangular series win late last year, and more recently, a tri-series win (against Netherlands, Bangladesh). They also cruised past Netherlands in their first World Cup warm-up game. But in a global event, the challenges will be bigger. And most opponents, stronger.

The World Cup is in the UK, but as an associate nation, they are ineligible to host it. Yet, Abtaha Maqsood, Scotland's leading wicket-taker, recently urged Scottish fans to rally around the team: "This is as close to a home World Cup as we are going to get".

Squad:Kathryn Bryce (c), Chloe Abel, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Gabriella Fontenla, Katherine Fraser, Kirstie Gordon, Ailsa Lister, Maisie Maceira, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul

Best XI: Darcey Carter, Katherine Fraser, Kathryn Bryce (c), Sarah Bryce, Ailsa Lister, Megan McColl, Priyanaz Chatterji, Rachel Slater, Chloe Abel, Abtaha Maqsood, Olivia Bell

Players to keep an eye on

Darcey Carter: Last year, she hit four unbeaten fifties across six games, before falling into a patch of six single-digit scores. Scotland's third-highest run-getter at 21, she looks to have found her touch with two fifties this year: her firing at the top is crucial and reduces overdependence on the Bryce sisters.

Kathryn Bryce: Their captain is undoubtedly their leading light. The all-rounder topped the wicket charts in the Qualifier, and top-scored for Scotland in the recent tri-series. Having recently played the One-Day Cup and the T20 Blast, she comes amply acclimatised to the venues.

Abtaha Maqsood:No Scotland bowler has taken more T20I wickets. A trendsetter in more ways than one, Maqsood's leg-spin will be pivotal weapon in the middle overs, especially to hold back teams from racing to big totals against them.

What's in the news: Kirstie Gordon played for Scotland from 2012 to 2017, before switching to England. Last year, after multiple phone calls with coach Craig Wallace, she decided to return, and is now reunited with Blaze teammate Kathryn. In her comeback tri-series, she claimed the most wickets for Scotland (5) alongside Kathryn.

Where they finished in 2024: Group stage exit (four losses in four)

How have they performed since then:Scotland have 21 wins and five losses since, winning their quadrangular series last year, and the recent tri-series as well. It's an improvement compared to the previous two-year cycle (14 wins, 10 losses), but the numbers are slightly inflated with wins against lower-ranked teams.

The big game:Their opening fixture vs Ireland. A long-standing rivalry, one that Ireland have historically aced (9 wins in 15 games), but it's been an even 4-4 in the last five years. It's also a great chance to get points first up. Scotland haven't squared off enough against the top teams, and it'll only get trickier once the opening game is past them.

A record in sight: One more win, and Scotland will equal their personal record for most T20I wins in a calendar year. They are currently at eight, as many as they managed in 2023 and 2025. Another one would level them with their 2019 tally.

Realistic expectation: A win over Ireland will set them on the right path, but it will be groundbreaking if they can upset any of the other names in the group.