Batting all-rounder Fabian Allen has been ruled out of the West Indies T20 World Cup squad due to an ankle injury. Instead, Akeal Hosein, who was on the reserve bench as a standby, got a chance in the 15-man squad.
Any changes to the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup require the approval of the ICC’s World Cup Event Technical Committee. West Indies cricket has got that approval. The ICC, the highest governing body of cricket, confirmed the news in a press release today.
Akeal will not have to deal with the new bio-bubble to stay with the team as he has already been there as a standby. The 26-year-old spinner has been in the spotlight with Sunil Narine for the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2021. He took 13 wickets in the tournament, where his economy rate was 4.92! He has been called up to the World Cup squad based on his performance.
The left-arm spinner Akeal has been featured in nine ODIs and six T20I matches for the West Indies so far. The last time he played for the national team was against Pakistan in August. Meanwhile, Gudakesh Motie has been taken in place of Akeal as he has moved from the reserve team to the main team. He played for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the CPL this year but hasn’t yet made his international debut.
The West Indies will begin their World Cup journey with a match against England on October 23.
For more interesting happenings in the cricket world, stay with Baji!