The West Indies T20 International team arrived in Dubai tonight (early afternoon Barbados Time) as they get set for the historic series against Nepal. The two teams will go head-to-head for the first time at a neutral venue – the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium starting Saturday night (11a.m. Barbados time). The West Indies squad travelled via the United States and Kuwait to reach Dubai where they will be based for the week.
Meanwhile, the West Indies Test squad is due to arrive in India in the early hours of Thursday morning (Wednesday night Barbados Time). Most of the squad travelled via the United States and Dubai to their final destination of Ahmedabad. They will have a pre series camp before the first Test at the 100 000-seater Narendra Modi Stadium, which bowls off on Thursday, October 2.
West Indies start the T20s as favourites over Nepal. The two-time T20 World Cup champions are ranked at Number 6 on the ICC table 12 spots above Nepal. Both teams are using the series as part of their preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup which will be played in Sri Lanka and India from next February.
Meanwhile, the West Indies will be underdogs for the Test matches in India, which form part of the ICC’s World Test Championship 2025 to 2027. India are fourth in the current ICC Test rankings with 107 points while West Indies are eighth with 72 points. A series win for West Indies would see them leapfrog Pakistan into seventh place.
The Indian authorities are due to announce their squad at an eagerly anticipated media conference on Thursday. The Indians are presently in Dubai where they will play the final of the Asia Cup on Sunday.
T20I squad vs Nepal: Akeal Hosein (captain), Fabian Allen, Jewel Andrew, Ackeem Auguste, Navin Bidaisse, Jediah Blades, Keacy Carty, Karima Gore, Jason Holder, Amir Jangoo, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Zishan Motara, Ramon Simmonds, Shamar Springer
Test squad vs India: Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales.
MATCH SCHEDULES
Test series in India
October 2-6:Â 1st Test at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
October 10-15:Â 2nd Test at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
T20I series vs Nepal in Sharjah all matches at Sharjah Stadium
Saturday, September 27: 1st T20 International
Monday, September 29: 2nd T20 International
Tuesday, September 30: 3rd T20 International
