West Indies have named Quentin Sampson and Shamar Joseph in their 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with Shai Hope set to captain the side at the global event.
Sampson, a 25-year-old batter from Guyana, earns his place after an encouraging Caribbean Premier League campaign. He recently made his T20I debut against Afghanistan in Dubai, scoring 35 runs across three innings, but the selectors have backed the potential he displayed at the domestic level.
During CPL 2025, Sampson finished as the third-highest run-scorer for Guyana Amazon Warriors, amassing 241 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 151.57. His performances earned him an international call-up in a series that several senior players, including captain Hope, missed due to SA20 commitments. Those absentees — Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein and Sherfane Rutherford — now return to the World Cup squad.
Experienced campaigners Jason Holder, Rovman Powell and Romario Shepherd have also been recalled after being rested for the Afghanistan series, strengthening the middle order and all-round depth.
Another headline inclusion is fast bowler Shamar Joseph, who featured in two matches against Afghanistan following an injury-disrupted year. The 26-year-old missed the tour of India with fitness issues and later sat out the ODI series against Bangladesh after suffering shoulder discomfort during training. Prior to the Afghanistan series, Joseph had limited game time, playing only five matches during CPL 2025.
The pace attack will be led by Holder, Joseph, Matthew Forde and Jayden Seales, while the spin department will be anchored by Akeal Hosein, supported by Roston Chase and Gudakesh Motie.
The squad retains a strong core, with 11 players from West Indies’ home World Cup campaign two years ago included again. However, there was no place for opener Evin Lewis or fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, both of whom have been troubled by injuries in recent months.
Two-time champions West Indies have been drawn in Group C, alongside England, Scotland, Nepal and Italy. They will begin their campaign on February 7, facing Scotland at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, the venue where they last lifted the World Cup trophy.
