Due to commitments in franchise leagues, four players, including West Indies captain Shai Hope, will miss the T20 series against Afghanistan.
Hope is playing for Pretoria Capitals in the SA20. Joining him from the same team are West Indies teammates Roston Chase and Sherfane Rutherford, while Akil Hossain is representing Johannesburg Super Kings. Because of their involvement in this South African franchise tournament, these four players will not be available for the West Indies series.
Additionally, three key T20 players—Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, and Jason Holder—have been rested for the series against Afghanistan.
The series is primarily being held as preparation for the T20 World Cup. However, most potential World Cup players from the West Indies squad will not be participating.
In Hope’s absence, Brandon King will lead the team. He has prior leadership experience, having captained in three matches against South Africa in 2024.
Experienced opener Evin Lewis has returned to the squad, having last played T20 for the West Indies in June. Pace bowler Shamar Joseph has also recovered from injury and is back in the team, having last played in August. Another pacer, Alzarri Joseph, remains sidelined with injury.
The squad’s only newcomer is Quentin Sampson, who impressed with aggressive batting in the recent CPL. The 25-year-old scored 241 runs in 9 matches for Guyana Amazon Warriors at a strike rate of 151.57.
The three-match series against Afghanistan in Dubai will take place on January 19, 21, and 22. To participate, Afghan players Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai have left the BPL.
Before the World Cup, the Caribbean team will also play a three-match series in South Africa at the end of this month. Their first World Cup match is against Bangladesh on February 7.
West Indies squad
Brandon King (c), Alik Athanaz, Kasey Carty, Johnson Charles, Matthew Ford, Justin Graves, Shimron Hetmyer, Amir Jangu, Shamar Joseph, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Khary Pierre, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Ramon Simmonds, Shamar Springer.
