The West Indies will play Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series next week. All matches will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This series will be a practice for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup, which will take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 9.

Brandon King will lead the West Indies as white-ball captain. Shai Hope is not available for selection because of his commitments in the ongoing SA20 2025-26. Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, and Sherfane Rutherford will also miss the UAE tour for the same reason.

Quentin Sampson received his first international call-up after strong performances in last year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for the Guyana Amazon Warriors. He replaces Rovman Powell. Veteran players Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd have been rested as part of workload management.

Also read -Watch: Dewald Brevis’ no-look six against Kagiso Rabada from SA20 2025/26 breaks the internet

🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced its 16-member squad for the three-match T20 International series against Afghanistan.

Read More⬇️ https://t.co/jzgvTMZaut

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) January 12, 2026

Joseph and Lewis return to the West Indies squad

Shamar Joseph and Evin Lewis have returned to the West Indies squad after recovering from injuries. However, Alzarri Joseph has not yet regained full fitness. His progress will be monitored before any decision is made about his participation in the T20 World Cup. According to Cricket West Indies (CWI), Joseph is recovering steadily.

Sammy highlights the importance of the subcontinental series

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said that playing a series in the subcontinent will give the team ideal practice ahead of the T20 World Cup.

“The opportunity to play competitive matches in subcontinental conditions is perfect. It helps our preparations and builds confidence ahead of a competitive T20 World Cup,” Sammy told ESPNCricinfo.

He added, “It is also a good chance to assess players who missed a lot of cricket in late 2025 and those stepping into important roles for this series.”

See also- 5 strong contenders to take over Australia’s captaincy after Alyssa Healy ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026

Series details

The series will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the UAE from January 19–22. It will serve as preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, starting on February 6. The final squad will be announced before the three-match T20I series against South Africa from January 27–31.

West Indies squad against Afghanistan:

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.

Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) have released their 15-player side for the 2025 ExxonMobil Global Super League (GSL), as they prepare to defend their home turf at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence. With an intimidating combination of experienced internationals and emerging Caribbean talents, the Warriors are ready to give a performance to remember in front of their home crowd.

Having recorded a strong third-place finish in the first 2024 edition, the Warriors have maintained a sound core with strategic reinforcements. Seasoned players such as leg-spin sorcerer Imran Tahir, English all-rounder Moeen Ali, pace king Romario Shepherd, and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie are back to lead the side's activities across departments.

The GSL 2025 will kick off on 10 July, with the Warriors launching their campaign in a high-octane battle against Rangpur Riders, who won the last edition, in the night match, after the tournament starter between first-timers Central Stags (New Zealand) and Hobart Hurricanes XI (Australia). Having six strong teams like the ILT20's Dubai Capitals, the GSL this year will present world-class T20 cricket.

New Faces and Key Absentees

The Warriors have added depth to their team with some game-changing signings. The explosive openers Johnson Charles and Evin Lewis are new additions along with emerging wicketkeeper-batters Amir Jangoo and Jewel Andrew. Afghan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz also returns, having made an impact in earlier CPL campaigns with his pugilistic shot selection.

See Also: GSL 2025: Rangpur Riders announce their squad for upcoming season

In the bowling ranks, Irish seamer Mark Adair and spin all-rounder Akeal Hossein bring depth and diversity, while Saud Shakeel of Pakistan brings balance to the middle order. But the team would miss Shai Hope, Kevlon Anderson, and Roston Chase—missing out on West Indies Test action—as well as all-rounder Keemo Paul, who is recovering from injury.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors 2025 GSL squad includes:
Imran Tahir, Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, Moeen Ali, Shimron Hetmyer, Saud Shakeel, Romario Shepherd, Dwain Pretorius, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hossein, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mark Adair, Jewel Andrew, Shamar Springer, and Amir Jangoo.

Warrior Nation is primed for battle at home! 🇬🇾

The Guyana Amazon Warriors confirm their squad for the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League 🌎

READ MORE: https://t.co/bRxdaFMyhc#GSLT20 #GlobalSuperLeague #GuyanaAmazonWarriors pic.twitter.com/MCQrEqDkQg

— Global Super League (@gslt20) June 13, 2025

Evin Lewis and Shai Hope’s record opening partnership guided West Indies to win the fourth T20I of the five-match series. Hosts West Indies recorded their second-highest successful T20I chase in the match. 

Already trailing by 3-0, West Indies captain Rovman Powell chose to field first after winning the toss at Gros Islet. While England scored 218/5 in 20 overs, West Indies chased the target in 19 overs after losing five wickets. 

England openers set a strong start

English openers Phil Salt and Will Jacks provided a good start as they set up a 56-run partnership in five overs. England scored 63 for one at the end of the powerplay. 

After Jacks was out for 25 off 12 balls (one four and two sixes), Salt had a 48-run partnership with the skipper Jos Buttler for the second wicket. Salt scored his fourth T20I half-century, and Roston Chase dismissed him for 55 off 35 balls (five fours and four sixes).

Buttler scored 38 off 23 balls (two fours and three sixes), while Liam Livingstone was dismissed for four runs. 

Bethell and Curran ended strongly

Jacob Bethell and Sam Curran had a 63-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Bethell scored 62 not out off 32 balls with four fours and five sixes. Also, Curran scored 24 off 13 balls (two sixes) before his run out on the final ball of the innings.

Among the Caribbean bowlers, Gudakesh Motie (2/40) picked up two wickets, while Alzarri Joseph (1/33) and Roston Chase (1/47) got one wicket each. 

Evin Lewis and Shai Hope had a 136-run partnership

After managing a powerful start, Caribbean openers Evin Lewis and Shai Hope set up a record T20I opening partnership for West Indies at home. After scoring 68/0 at the end of the powerplay and completing 100 runs in just 7.3 overs, they had a 136-run partnership for the first wicket. While Lewis scored 68 runs off 31 balls (four fours and seven sixes), Hope scored 54 off 24 balls (seven fours and three sixes). 

It was West Indies’ fourth-highest T20I partnership for any wicket and also the second-highest T20I partnership for the first wicket. Also, it was their highest T20I partnership for any wicket in West Indies. 

Skipper and Rutherford guided to a successful chase after a sudden collapse

However, in the 10th over of the innings, West Indies lost three wickets in the first three balls, including Hope’s run out. While Nicholas Pooran was out for a duck, West Indies were down to 136/3. 

Shimron Hetmyer (7) was out cheaply in the 14th over. However, the skipper Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford then strongly guided the hosts to the target. Powell scored 38 off 23 balls (two fours and three sixes), and Rutherford scored 29 not out off 16 balls (three sixes).

It was West Indies’ second-highest successful run chase in T20I history. Their record T20I chase is 232 runs (236/6) against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2015.