Top-order batter Brandon King will captain West Indies for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, scheduled to be played in Dubai from January 19 to 22. King takes over the leadership duties with regular skipper Shai Hope unavailable due to his ongoing commitments in the SA20.
Hope is one of several senior players missing the series, with Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, and Sherfane Rutherford also remaining in South Africa for franchise obligations.
In addition, first-choice all-rounders Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, and Romario Shepherd have been rested as part of workload management.
Sampson earns maiden call-up for West Indies
The biggest talking point in the 16-member squad is the maiden international call-up for Quentin Sampson. The 25-year-old was one of the standout performers
in the Caribbean Premier League 2025, scoring 241 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 151.57, and has been rewarded for his consistency at the domestic level.
West Indies have also recalled Evin Lewis and Shamar Joseph after the duo were cleared to return from injury. However, fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has not been included, with Cricket West Indies opting to manage his rehabilitation cautiously following a lower-back issue sustained earlier in the season.
Head coach Daren Sammy said the Afghanistan series would be a crucial step in the team's build-up to the T20 World Cup later this year.
"The opportunity to play competitive matches in subcontinental conditions is ideal, as it assists with our preparations and confidence-building ahead of what will be a competitive T20 World Cup," Sammy said. "It also presents a valuable platform to assess players who missed significant time towards the end of 2025, as well as those stepping into important roles for this series. "
The West Indies squad is scheduled to depart the Caribbean on January 14 and arrive in the UAE two days later.
West Indies squad for T20Is vs Afghanistan: Brandon King (captain), 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.
