Quentin Sampson, Shamar Joseph picked in West Indies' T20 World Cup squad

West Indies have included hard-hitting batter Quentin Sampson in their 15-member squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup. The 25-year-old Guyanese made his T20I debut in the recent series against Afghanistan in Dubai and, despite managing just 35 runs across three innings, has been backed for the promise he showed during the latest Caribbean Premier League season.

West Indies squad: Shai Hope (c), 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.

Sampson was Guyana Amazon Warriors' third-highest run-getter, scoring 241 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 151.57. That form earned him a maiden international call-up for the Afghanistan series, which several first-choice players, including captain Shai Hope, missed due to SA20 commitments. Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein and Sherfane Rutherford, who were also absent from that series, return to the squad.

Former captains Jason Holder and Rovman Powell, along with Romario Shepherd, have also been recalled after being rested for the recent assignment.

Another notable inclusion is that of fast-bowling sensation Shamar Joseph. The 26-year-old, who featured in two matches against Afghanistan, has had a stop-start period in the latter half of 2025. He missed the tour of India through injury and later sat out the ODI series against Bangladesh after experiencing shoulder discomfort in training. Prior to the Afghanistan series, Joseph had played competitive cricket only in September, featuring in only five of GAW's 12 matches at CPL 2025.

Alongside Joseph, the pace attack includes Holder, Matthew Forde and Jayden Seales, while the spin department will be spearheaded by Akeal Hosein, with Roston Chase and Gudakesh Motie offering support.

The squad carries considerable T20 know-how, 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 are placed in Group C of the tournament, alongside England, Scotland, Nepal and Italy. They begin their campaign on the opening day of the tournament, February 7, against Scotland at the venue of their last World Cup win – Eden Gardens, Kolkata.