Scotland replace injured Maqsood with Hannah Rainey for Women's T20 World Cup 2026
Synopsis
Scotland's Women's T20 World Cup 2026 preparations took a hit when leg-spinner Abtaha Maqsood fractured her metacarpal in a warm-up match against Pakistan on 9 June. Hannah Rainey steps in as the approved replacement, with Scotland set to face a group containing England, New Zealand, and the West Indies — and their campaign opening against Ireland on 13 June.
Key Takeaways
Hannah Rainey has been officially approved as a replacement for Abtaha Maqsood at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 .
Maqsood sustained a metacarpal fracture during Scotland's warm-up match against Pakistan on 9 June .
Kathryn Bryce captains Scotland in their second consecutive Women's T20 World Cup appearance.
The squad includes three ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025 players: Fontenla , Sproul , and Maceira .
Scotland open their campaign against Ireland on 13 June in a group also featuring England , New Zealand , Sri Lanka , and the West Indies .
Scotland have made a late squad change ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, with Hannah Rainey cleared as an official replacement for leg-spinner Abtaha Maqsood, who was ruled out after sustaining a metacarpal fracture during a warm-up match. The tournament's Event Technical Committee approved Rainey's inclusion, confirming the change ahead of Scotland's opening fixture on 13 June.
How Maqsood Was Injured
Maqsood fractured her metacarpal during Scotland's warm-up game against Pakistan on 9 June, forcing the team management to seek an emergency replacement. The injury deprives Scotland of an experienced leg-spin option at a critical stage of their World Cup preparations. Rainey's approval by the Event Technical Committee was processed swiftly to allow the squad to settle ahead of their opening clash.
Scotland's Squad: Experience Meets Youth
All-rounder Kathryn Bryce captains a side that blends seasoned campaigners with emerging talent. Notably, three players who featured in the ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025 are part of the squad: bowler Gabriella Fontenla, wicketkeeper-batter Pippa Sproul, and uncapped pace bowler Maisie Maceira. Their inclusion signals a deliberate long-term investment in Scotland's women's cricket pipeline.
How Scotland Qualified
Scotland earned their place in the tournament — hosted in England and Wales — through the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier. They advanced to the Super Six stage after finishing second in Group B behind the Netherlands. Despite a loss to Bangladesh in the Super Six, crucial victories over Ireland and the United States secured a third-place finish overall and a coveted World Cup berth.
A Tough Group Awaits
Scotland face a formidable challenge in the group stage, drawn alongside hosts England, Ireland, defending champions New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies. Only the top two sides from the group advance to the semi-finals. Scotland open their campaign against Ireland on 13 June — a fixture that carries extra significance given their shared qualifying history. This is Scotland's second consecutive Women's T20 World Cup appearance, and the squad will be looking to improve on their 2024 debut campaign.
Full Updated Squad
Scotland's updated 15-member squad: Kathryn Bryce (captain), Chloe Abel, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Gabriella Fontenla, Katherine Fraser, Kirstie Gordon, Ailsa Lister, Maisie Maceira, Hannah Rainey, Megan McColl, Rachel Slater, and Pippa Sproul. With preparations now settled, Scotland will be hoping to make a deeper mark on the global stage than their maiden appearance allowed.
Point of View
And Scotland had limited depth to absorb it. Rainey's inclusion keeps the squad at full strength on paper, but the tactical hole left by an experienced spinner in a group featuring New Zealand and Sri Lanka — sides that play spin well — is harder to paper over. Scotland's qualification story is genuinely impressive; their ability to navigate adversity before a ball has been bowled in the main event will be the first real test of this squad's resilience.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Abtaha Maqsood ruled out of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026?
Abtaha Maqsood was ruled out after sustaining a metacarpal fracture during Scotland's warm-up match against Pakistan on 9 June 2026. The injury was confirmed ahead of the tournament, prompting an official squad replacement.
Who is replacing Abtaha Maqsood in Scotland's squad?
Hannah Rainey has been approved as Maqsood's replacement by the tournament's Event Technical Committee. Rainey joins a 15-member squad captained by Kathryn Bryce.
How did Scotland qualify for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026?
Scotland qualified through the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, finishing third overall. They reached the Super Six after coming second in Group B behind the Netherlands, and secured qualification with wins over Ireland and the United States.
Who are the young players in Scotland's 2026 Women's T20 World Cup squad?
Three players from the ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025 feature in the squad: bowler Gabriella Fontenla, wicketkeeper-batter Pippa Sproul, and uncapped pace bowler Maisie Maceira.
What group are Scotland in at the Women's T20 World Cup 2026?
Scotland are in a group alongside hosts England, Ireland, defending champions New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies. Only the top two teams from the group advance to the semi-finals. Scotland open against Ireland on 13 June.
