West Indies announce squads for Pakistan tour; Russell, Hetmyer opt out

Cricket West Indies (CWI) have announced the squad for the limited-overs tour of Pakistan, set to get underway from December 13. The series comprise three ODIs and as many T20Is and will be played at National Stadium in Karachi. The three ODIs will be part of the ICC Men’s ODI Super League. West Indies are currently languishing at eighth position in the rankings and need a win to secure automatic qualification for the 50-Over World Cup in 2023. The top seven teams will directly qualify for the mega event in India.

“The Odis in Pakistan are part of the ICC ODI Super League where points gained work towards qualification for the ICC World Cup 2023. So these ODI’s are very important to us and are being treated as such,” CWI head of selectors Roger Harper said in a statement.

The Harper-led selection panel have picked quite a few new faces in the ODI and T20 squads. Justin Greaves, Shamarh Brooks, Gudakesh Motie, and Odean Smith have received their maiden calls ups. Dominic Drakes, Motie, and Smith have been included in the team's squad for the shortest format, while Brooks and Motie have been included in the ODI squad.

Jason Holder is rested for the white-ball series against Pakistan, while Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, and Lendl Simmons have opted out due to personal reasons. West Indies of-late have not performed well in white-ball formats and they will be keen to get back to winning ways in Pakistan. The Men in Green, on the other hand, have shown some great consistency in the limited-overs format.

ODI Squad: Kieron Pollard (Captain), Shai Hope (Vice-Captain), Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Nicholas Pooran, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr.

T20I Squad: Kieron Pollard (Captain), Nicholas Pooran (Vice-Captain), Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.