Brandon King has been appointed captain of a significantly revamped West Indies squad set to compete against Afghanistan in a series of three T20 Internationals. Cricket West Indies (CWI) unveiled a 16-member team that notably excludes several prominent players, including white-ball captain Shai Hope, Roston Chase, and Jason Holder, among others. This tour will take place in the United Arab Emirates from January 19 to January 22.
Despite the absence of several key figures, the squad will benefit from the return of pacer Shamar Joseph, who makes a comeback from injury. However, questions have arisen about the exclusion of Alzarri Joseph, another fast bowler who has been recovering from injury since last September. CWI informed that while Alzarri had shown promising signs in his rehabilitation, he was not included in the squad as a precautionary measure following a medical assessment.
King, who has previously steered the West Indies in T20 formats, leads this team as they prepare for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which is slated to begin on February 6 in India and Sri Lanka. Veteran opener Evin Lewis is part of the squad, along with Guyanese all-rounder Quentin Sampson receiving his first international call-up. Additionally, Shimron Hetmyer makes a return to the team.
Head coach Daren Sammy emphasized the significance of the upcoming matches, stating that playing in subcontinental conditions would be instrumental for building confidence and preparing for the T20 World Cup. He noted that these games serve as an opportunity to assess players, particularly those who have faced injuries and are stepping into crucial roles ahead of final squad selections for the tournament.
The completed West Indies squad includes: Brandon King (captain), Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Khary Pierre, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Ramon Simmonds, Shamar Springer, and Shimron Hetmyer.
This series could provide fresh opportunities for emerging talents while preparing the team for the challenges ahead, igniting hope among fans for a competitive showing in the upcoming World Cup.