As the countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 intensifies, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has officially signaled the start of their final preparations. With the global tournament scheduled to commence on February 7, the Caribbean side is heading to the United Arab Emirates for a high-stakes three-match T20 International series against Afghanistan. This tour is viewed as a critical bridge for the squad to adapt to subcontinental conditions before the World Cup begins in India and Sri Lanka.
Squad Selection and Leadership Transition
The selection committee has named a 16-member squad that reflects a blend of returning veterans, emerging talent, and strategic resting of key players. In a significant change to the leadership structure for this tour, Brandon King has been appointed as the stand-in captain. The decision comes as regular T20I skipper Shai Hope is unavailable due to his ongoing commitments in the SA20 tournament.
King is no stranger to the pressures of leadership, having previously captained the West Indies during their home series against South Africa in early 2024. His familiarity with the role is expected to provide stability to a side that will be missing several high-profile names. Along with Hope, the West Indies will be without the services of Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, and Romario Shepherd. These three pillars of the T20 lineup have been rested as part of a comprehensive workload management plan designed to ensure they reach the World Cup at peak physical fitness.
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New Faces and Welcome Returns
The headline of the squad announcement is the inclusion of Quentin Sampson, who has earned his maiden international call-up. Sampson’s rise has been meteoric, punctuated by his performance as the Breakout Player of the 2025 Caribbean Premier League. His ability to impact the game in the middle overs made him an undeniable candidate to fill the void left by the rested senior players.
Adding further strength to the roster is the return of explosive opener Evin Lewis and fast bowler Shamar Joseph. Both players have successfully cleared their return-to-play protocols following injury layoffs. Their inclusion provides a much-needed boost to the team’s firepower at both ends of the innings.
While the squad looks formidable, there is a notable absence in the bowling department. Speedster Alzarri Joseph, who was sidelined by an injury late in 2025, has not been selected for the Afghanistan series. However, the medical and coaching staff are closely monitoring his recovery progress. His fitness remains a primary concern for the selectors as they look toward the final World Cup roster.
Tactical Objectives in the UAE
For Head Coach Daren Sammy, the series against Afghanistan is about more than just the results on the scoreboard. Speaking on the tour’s objectives, Sammy highlighted the necessity of playing competitive cricket in conditions that mirror what they will face in February. He noted that the series serves as a valuable platform to fine-tune tactical combinations and assess the form of players returning from injury.
The choice of the United Arab Emirates as a venue is a calculated move. The slow, spinning tracks in Dubai will test the West Indies’ ability to navigate spin—a traditional challenge for the team—while allowing the bowlers to experiment with variations that will be essential on Indian and Sri Lankan pitches.
Looking Ahead to the World Cup
This series represents the penultimate step in the West Indies’ journey to the World Cup. Following the conclusion of the matches in Dubai, the selectors will have a very short window to finalize the 15-player squad for the global showpiece. That final list is expected to be confirmed before the team embarks on their subsequent T20I series against South Africa, which is slated to take place between January 27 and January 31.
West Indies T20I Squad: The full traveling party includes Brandon King (c), 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.
Series Schedule and Match Details
All three encounters of this bilateral series will be hosted at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The action begins on Monday, January 19, followed by the second match on Wednesday, January 21, and the series finale on Thursday, January 22. Every match is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM Gulf Standard Time (GST). As the West Indies look to build momentum, these three nights in Dubai could very well define the trajectory of their 2026 World Cup campaign.
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