Scotland back for second shot at World Cup spotlight

Two years after their first Women's World Cup appearance, Scotland return hoping for a better showing. In 2024, they suffered four straight losses. This year, they qualified by winning five of seven games in the Global Qualifier.

That followed a quadrangular series win and a recent tri-series triumph (against Netherlands, Bangladesh). They also cruised past Netherlands in their first warm-up game.

The World Cup is in the UK, but as an associate nation they cannot host. Abtaha Maqsood, Scotland's leading wicket-taker, said: "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: Hit four unbeaten fifties across six games last year, then a patch of six single-digit scores. Scotland's third-highest run-getter at age 21, she has two fifties this year and reduces overdependence on the Bryce sisters.

Kathryn Bryce: The captain topped wicket charts in the Qualifier and top-scored in the recent tri-series. Having played the One-Day Cup and T20 Blast, she is acclimatised to venues.

Abtaha Maqsood: No Scotland bowler has taken more T20I wickets. Her leg-spin will be pivotal in the middle overs.

What's in the news: Kirstie Gordon played for Scotland from 2012 to 2017 before switching to England. After multiple calls with coach Craig Wallace, she returned and is now reunited with Blaze teammate Kathryn Bryce. 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: 21 wins and five losses since, including quadrangular and tri-series wins. Improved from the previous cycle (14 wins, 10 losses), though numbers are slightly inflated by wins against lower-ranked teams.

The big game: Opening fixture vs Ireland. A long-standing rivalry, historically Ireland-led (9-6), but 4-4 in the last five years. A great chance to get points early, as it gets trickier from there.

A record in sight: One more win equals their personal record for most T20I wins in a calendar year. They are at eight, matching 2023 and 2025 totals.

Realistic expectation: A win over Ireland sets the right path; groundbreaking if they upset any other group names.