Glasgow (Scotland), Dec 10 (NationPress) - Thomas Knight has been selected to lead Scotland as their captain for the 2026 International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Under-19 World Cup. This prestigious tournament will take place in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6. In their official announcement, Cricket Scotland revealed that after the ICC Europe Qualifier in August, players Shlok Thaker and Shreyas Tekale have been included in the team for this significant event.

“We are thrilled to have Shlok and Shreyas join us in the squad. Their dedication and effort to reach this point are commendable,” said head coach Keegan Russell.

“Shlok was previously part of our broader training team but missed out on selection for the Qualifier. However, he took feedback seriously, committed to intense training, and has returned fitter and stronger, showcasing improved bowling performance.”

“It’s gratifying to witness his resilience in overcoming setbacks. Shreyas had a remarkable tour in Ireland with the U17 team at the Celtic Cup, proving to be a formidable competitor on those pitches,” he added.

“His journey to be part of this team has been challenging. Initially not included in our wider squad at the beginning of the year, he has made substantial progress and has caught attention with his performances, earning his selection.”

Scotland’s team will depart for South Africa on December 30 for a training camp in Potchefstroom, before heading to Zimbabwe for warm-up matches against India in Bulawayo and Bangladesh in Harare.

The tournament kicks off for Scotland on January 15 when they face the host nation Zimbabwe in Harare, followed by Group B encounters against Pakistan and England on January 19 and 21, respectively.

“This is an exhilarating time for everyone involved, though it has presented challenges. We must remember that we are nurturing a group of young athletes training like professionals for this World Cup. Their enthusiasm is palpable, and it has been a long-awaited opportunity for them,” he continued.

“We view this tournament as an opportunity to make a mark and potentially surprise some of the larger teams, while also using it as a platform for growth and development against some of the world's best players,” Russell concluded.

Scotland’s Squad: Thomas Knight, Finlay Carter, Max Chaplin, George Cutler, Rory Grant, Finlay Jones, Ollie Jones, Ali Khan, Olly Pillinger, Ethan Ramsay, Theo Robinson, Manu Saraswat, Shlok Thaker, Shreyas Tekale, and Jake Woodhouse.