West Indies have kickstarted their preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 by naming a 16-member squad for a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, scheduled to be played in Dubai later this month.
The short tour, running from January 19 to 22 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, is seen as a key step in the Windies’ build-up to the global tournament, which begins on February 7 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
With regular T20I captain Shai Hope unavailable due to his commitments in the SA20 league, Brandon King has been appointed stand-in skipper. King is no stranger to leadership responsibilities, having previously captained West Indies in the format, including during the home series against South Africa in early 2024.
The squad features a mix of experience and fresh faces, highlighted by the inclusion of Quentin Sampson, the Breakout Player of the 2025 Caribbean Premier League. The series marks Sampson’s maiden international call-up, with the selectors opting to rest senior players Rovman Powell, Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd as part of a broader workload management strategy ahead of the World Cup.
Evin Lewis and fast bowler Shamar Joseph also make their return after successfully completing return-to-play protocols following injuries sustained in previous assignments. However, Alzarri Joseph remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from an injury that ruled him out towards the end of 2025. His fitness will be closely monitored as part of West Indies’ ongoing World Cup planning.
Head coach Daren Sammy stressed the importance of the Afghanistan series, particularly with matches being played in subcontinental-style conditions similar to those expected during the World Cup. “This series gives us a valuable opportunity to assess combinations, build confidence and test players returning from injury against quality opposition,” Sammy said.
West Indies are expected to finalise their 15-player squad for the T20 World Cup after their subsequent T20I series against South Africa, scheduled from January 27 to 31, making the Afghanistan games a crucial audition for several players on the fringe.
West Indies T20I squad vs Afghanistan
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, Shimron Hetmyer.
T20I schedule (Dubai, GST)
- 1st T20I: January 19, 8:00 PM
- 2nd T20I: January 21, 8:00 PM
- 3rd T20I: January 22, 8:00 PM
As the countdown to the T20 World Cup gathers pace, West Indies will be keen to use the Afghanistan series to settle their combinations and regain momentum ahead of cricket’s biggest T20 stage.
