West Indies squad announced for T20 series against Nepal, Akeal Hosein to captain for the first time

Barbados (The Uttam Hindu): The West Indies have announced a 15-member squad for the three-match T20 series against Nepal later this month in Sharjah. This includes five players who have not yet played an international match. Several senior players, including captain Shai Hope, have been rested. The team will be captained by left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, who will be the first player to captain the West Indies in any format.

Newcomers to the squad include top-order batsman Akeem Auguste, batting all-rounder Naveen Bidaise, leg-spinner Zeeshan Motara, left-arm fast bowler Raymon Simmonds, and wicketkeeper-batsman Amir Jangoo. Batswoman Karima Gore, who has previously played eight T20 Internationals for the United States but is yet to make her West Indies debut, has also been included. Gore caught the selectors' attention by scoring 219 runs in 11 matches for the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the CPL 2025.

In addition to Akeal Hosein, the team boasts experienced players like Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Fabian Allen, and Obed McCoy. Young players like Jewel Andrew, Jediah Blades, Keyse Carte, and Shamar Springer will maintain a balance of experience and new talent.

Hosein has played more T20 matches than his teammates and will now take on the captaincy role in a new phase of preparing the West Indies for future ICC events. This series will enhance the rivalry between the two teams. In April 2024, West Indies A toured Nepal, where the visitors won the five-match T20 series, but the hosts showed their impressive progress in this format by winning two matches.

The series begins in Sharjah on September 27, followed by matches on September 29 and 30. This will be an opportunity for new players to establish themselves at the international level, while Nepal, like last year, will look to defeat the big teams.

West Indies squad: Akeal Hosein (captain), Fabian Allen, Jewel Andrew, Akeem Auguste, Naveen Bidaise, Jadeja Blades, Keece Carte, Karima Gore, Jason Holder, Amir Jangoo, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Zeeshan Motara, Raymon Simmonds, Shamar Springer.