West Indies Announce Squad for T20I Series Against Afghanistan

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West Indies Announce Squad for T20I Series Against Afghanistan: The West Indies Cricket Board (CWI) has begun strengthening its preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. In this regard, the board has announced a 16-member squad for the three-match T20 International series against Afghanistan, starting on January 19th. This series is considered crucial in terms of cricket excitement and preparation.

Clash in Dubai: Preparations for ICC T20 World Cup 2026

The entire series will be played in Dubai. This is a golden opportunity for both teams to test themselves in subcontinental conditions. With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, both teams will be looking to finalize their strategies and assess their players' form.

Shamar Joseph’s Comeback: 149 KPH Speedster Returns to the Squad

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The biggest news for the West Indies team is the return of Shamar Joseph. Joseph, who can intimidate opposition batsmen with his 149 km/h pace, was sidelined due to injury. His return will add a new dimension to the Caribbean bowling attack, and fans will once again get to witness his fiery bowling.

Brandon King to Lead: Key Players Miss Out Due to SA20 Commitments

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Brandon King will lead the team in this series. West Indies' regular white-ball captain, Shai Hope, is unavailable due to his commitments in the ongoing SA20 2025-26.

Besides Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, and Sherfane Rutherford will also miss the series due to their participation in the South African T20 league (SA20).

Meanwhile, the return of experienced opening batsman Evin Lewis (34 years old) to the team will help maintain a balance between experienced players and youngsters.

Head Coach Daren Sammy's Statement

"The opportunity to play competitive matches in subcontinental conditions is excellent. This will be very helpful in our preparations and confidence building ahead of the T20 World Cup. It is also a valuable platform to assess players who have been out of the game for a considerable period since the end of 2025."

West Indies Squad for the Afghanistan Series

Brandon King (C), Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Shimron Hetmyer, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Khary Pierre, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Ramon Simmonds, Shamar Springer