West Indies Names Squad for World Cup Countdown Against Afghanistan
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Afghanistan, marking a pivotal phase in the Caribbean team’s preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The series is set to take place from January 19-22 at the Dubai Cricket International Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.
With the World Cup commencing on February 6, this series serves as a crucial juncture for the West Indies, offering valuable match exposure under subcontinental conditions. It will allow the coaching staff to evaluate player performance and make informed decisions for final squad selections.
Leadership Changes: Brandon King Takes Over
T20 captain Shai Hope will miss this series due to commitments in the ongoing SA20 tournament. Joining him on the sidelines are Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, and Sherfane Rutherford. In Hope’s absence, Brandon King has been appointed captain. King’s previous experience, including leading the West Indies in T20 Internationals against South Africa in early 2024, brings a sense of continuity and stability to the squad as it navigates through transition and preparation.
Key Returns and New Faces
The upcoming matches will also see the return of two significant players, Shamar Joseph and Evin Lewis, who have been cleared to play after successfully completing return-to-play protocols for earlier injuries. Alzarri Joseph, a fast bowler sidelined in late 2025, continues to recover and has been omitted from the squad as a precaution. CWI is closely monitoring his status ahead of the World Cup.
Quentin Sampson, the Breakout Player of the 2025 Caribbean Premier League, has received his first international call-up, stepping in for Rovman Powell, who, along with Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd, is being rested as part of a broader workload management strategy.
Daren Sammy: Focus on Preparation and Assessment
Head Coach Daren Sammy emphasized the dual purpose of the Afghanistan series: preparation and assessment. “The opportunity to play competitive matches in subcontinental conditions is ideal, as it assists with our preparations and confidence building ahead of what will be a competitive T20 World Cup,” Sammy stated. He noted the importance of evaluating players returning from injuries and those stepping into new roles.
The final squad for the World Cup is anticipated to be announced shortly before the West Indies takes on South Africa in a subsequent three-match T20I series from January 27 to 31.
Travel Plans Confirmed Ahead of UAE Matches
The West Indies squad will depart the Caribbean on January 14, arriving in the UAE by January 16. This timeline allows adequate time for the team to acclimatize before the series begins.
Squad Details
Captain: Brandon King
Players: 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, Shimron Hetmyer.
Team Management Unit
- Team Manager: Rawl Lewis
- Head Coach: Daren Sammy
- Assistant Coach (Batting): Floyd Reifer
- Assistant Coach (Bowling): Ravi Rampaul
- Assistant Coach (Fielding): Rayon Griffith
- Physiotherapist: Dr. Denis Byam
- Strength & Conditioning Coach: Darc Browne
- Massage Therapist: Fitzbert Alleyne
- Performance Analyst: Avenesh Seetaram
- Content & Media Officer: Jerome Foster
T20I Series Schedule
- 1st T20I: January 19, 2026
- 2nd T20I: January 21, 2026
- 3rd T20I: January 22, 2026
Published on 2026-01-13 13:53:00 • Category: Sports
