Cricket West Indies announces squad for two-match away Test series against Pakistan in January

Cricket West Indies announced a 15-member squad of the West Indies men's team for their red-ball assignment to Pakistan in January next year. The two-match Test series will mark the concluding segment of the 2023-25 cycle of the World Test Championship. 

Although neither of the sides are in contention of making it to the final to be played at Lord's, the bilateral series to be played in Pakistan holds immense significance for both teams. The following series will be the first time in 18 years that the island nation will be touring Pakistan for a Test series.

The Kraigg Brathwaite-led side is scheduled to depart for Pakistan on January 2, 2025. Left-handed batter, Amir Jangoo, who impressed with a match-winning ODI ton against Bangladesh, earned his maiden Test call-up. Gudakesh Motie made his return to the red-ball setup after being unavailable for the Tests against Bangladesh.

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Head coach of the Test side, Andre Coley, justified the inclusion of the aforementioned southpaws. 

“Motie rejoins the squad to bolster the spin attack, while Jangoo’s selection comes on the back of his consistency across formats in regional cricket, as well as his demonstrated high level of competency against spin bowling,” stated Coley, as quoted by a press release from Cricket West Indies.

Shamar Joseph is reported to continue his rehabilitation from injury, while Alzarri Joseph is set to be unavailable due to other obligations.

Coley also shed light on the objectives he would want the side to fulfill while on the tour.

“For the Test series against Pakistan in January 2025, the focus is on building on what we have done well and transforming the learnings from 2024 into tangible results,” Coley added.

West Indies' squad

Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Joshua Da Silva (vice-captain), Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Amir Jangoo, Mikyle Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican