Kolkata, Jan 26 (.) West Indies have named hard-hitting batsman Quentin Sampson in their 15-member squad for the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, backing the 25-year-old Guyanese despite a modest start to his international career.
Sampson made his T20I debut during the recent series against Afghanistan in Dubai, scoring 35 runs across three innings. The selectors, however, have been encouraged by the promise he displayed during the latest Caribbean Premier League season, where he emerged as Guyana Amazon Warriors’ third-highest run-getter with 241 runs from nine innings at a strike rate of 151.57.
That form earned Sampson a maiden international call-up in a series that several first-choice players, including captain Shai Hope, missed due to SA20 commitments. Hope now returns to lead the side, along with Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein and Sherfane Rutherford, all of whom were absent against Afghanistan.
Former captains Jason Holder and Rovman Powell have also been recalled, alongside Romario Shepherd, after being rested for the recent assignment.
Another notable inclusion is fast-bowling sensation Shamar Joseph. The 26-year-old featured in two matches against Afghanistan but has endured a stop-start period in the latter half of 2025. He missed the tour of India due to injury and later sat out the ODI series against Bangladesh after experiencing shoulder discomfort during training.
Prior to the Afghanistan series, Joseph had played competitive cricket only in September, featuring in five of Guyana Amazon Warriors’ 12 matches in CPL 2025.
The pace attack will feature Holder, Joseph, Matthew Forde and Jayden Seales, while the spin department will be led by Akeal Hosein, with support from Roston Chase and Gudakesh Motie.
The squad retains considerable T20 experience, with 11 players from the home World Cup two years ago returning for this edition. There was no place for left-handed opener Evin Lewis or fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, both of whom have struggled with injuries in recent times.
The two-time champions have been placed in Group C alongside England, Scotland, Nepal and Italy.
West Indies will open their campaign on February 7 against Scotland at Eden Gardens, Kolkata — the venue where they last lifted the World Cup trophy.
West Indies squad: Shai Hope (captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Brandon King, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Quentin Sampson, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales, Matthew Forde.
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