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CHATTERJI: ICC WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP WILL FEEL LIKE A HOME TOURNAMENT 

Priyanaz Chatterji

Media release

Priyanaz Chatterji says Scotland are preparing for a ‘home away from home’ World Cup having booked their place at this summer’s showpiece.

Chatterji impressed at the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier in Nepal, in which Scotland finished third to seal qualification alongside Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands.

They will now head south of the border to England and Wales to contest the tournament, which begins on Friday 12 June.

“It is certainly the closest to a home World Cup we will get,” Chatterji said. “It’s really exciting for us that we will be able to have a lot of friends and family come and watch.

“As a group we’ve improved massively over the last few years.

“Several of our players have benefited from playing in the English county system and the better resourcing that exists in the English set-up.

“But equally, we have had really standout performances from our Scottish-based players as well, like Megan McColl.”

Chatterji, who plays county cricket for Surrey, had several key partnerships with McColl during the Qualifier while in their final match against the USA, the 32-year-old made 39 from 28 balls and took two for 11 to help her side to a 41-run victory which secured their place at the main event.

“We tried to keep things as consistent as possible in terms of our preparation,” she said.

“We knew the USA are a good side and we would have to go out and play good cricket to get across the line.

“I guess, in those situations, the build-up is almost worse. Once you get going, you get into the swing of things, and it’s just cricket. Obviously, there is a lot hanging on it, but it is still just cricket.”

Scotland were the fourth European side to claim a place in the World Cup, alongside hosts England, debutants the Netherlands and Ireland.

And Chatterji believes it is a sign of where the game is at across the globe.

She added: “The Qualifiers were a really exciting tournament and spoke to how much the game has developed globally.

“I don’t really think there were any easy games or obvious results, and certainly plenty of “upsets”.

“Looking at European cricket, it does seem to be in a good place. At the tournament, the Netherlands beat us, we beat Ireland, and Ireland beat the Netherlands. You’ve got a lot of good competition, and that is great for the growth of the game.”