Kolkata/Colombo, Feb 6 (UNI) Controversy and cricket collide as Scotland and Pakistan kickstart their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaigns on Saturday, setting the stage for a weekend full of drama and high-octane cricket.
Scotland, drafted in at the last moment after Bangladesh withdrew, takes on two-time champions West Indies at Eden Gardens, while Pakistan, amid threats to pull out pf matches against India, opens against the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.
At Eden Gardens, West Indies, despite patchy recent form against South Africa, Afghanistan, and New Zealand, are firm favorites. The Caribbean lineup features Shai Hope, Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, and IPL star Shimron Hetmyer, whose strike rate of 152 makes him a major threat.
Jason Holder and Jayden Seales will lead the pace attack, while spinners Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase are expected to exploit the slowing pitch.
Scotland faces an uphill task. Richie Berrington and George Munsey will anchor the innings, with Brandon McMullen and Tom Bruce providing middle-order firepower. However, their limited experience in Indian conditions, combined with a spin-friendly Eden Gardens surface, makes them clear underdogs as they attempt to post or chase a competitive 180–200.
Meanwhile in Colombo, Pakistan, fresh from a 3-0 T20I series whitewash of Australia, are overwhelming favorites against the Netherlands.
Explosive top-order batters Salman Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, and Usman Khan are expected to set the tone, while Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Abrar Ahmed form a spin trio primed to exploit the slow SSC pitch. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah will spearhead the pace attack.
The Netherlands, led by Scott Edwards, will look to Michael Levitt, Max Odowd, and Colin Ackermann for runs, but a fragile middle-order and limited experience in South Asia leave them as heavy underdogs. Their bowlers, including Fred Klaassen, Kyle Klein, Logan Van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, and Aryan Dutt, face a tough challenge against Pakistan’s firepower.
With Scotland entering under unusual circumstances and Pakistan’s participation under scrutiny, cricket and controversy are set to dominate the opening weekend. Fans can expect drama, high-powered batting, and tactical battles to take center stage as the T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off.
