Series win against Afghans could set Windies right ahead of 2026 ICC T20 World Cup

Jan 06, 2026 Sports

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– Squad should be selected on basis of T20 Cup campaign

By Clifton Ross

Kaieteur Sports – The final skirmish before the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup will be an important one, as both the West Indies and Afghanistan will be looking to use the upcoming 3-match mini-series, which bowls off on January 19; as a tester before they along with other nations from around the globe; enters the big stage come next month when the limited-overs spectacle gets underway.

West Indies will be doing a lot to forget 2025, especially with the New Year well upon them and a mixed road ahead, stemming from Cricket West Indies (CWI) already strapping in for what could be dubbed as a potentially challenging year.

Since 2016, both sides have faced each other a total of 8 times, with 2024’s ICC T20 World Cup match, which was won by the West Indies (108 runs), being the latest encounter. From the 8 encounters, the Caribbean side has managed to hold a 5-3 score-line, further adding to the importance of this upcoming series.

While the Afghans have clearly stated that this series will serve as an ideal prelude to the 2026 Cup, which will bowl off a few days after; it is likely that the Windies too, will be using the mini-series as preparatory means to get themselves into World Cup groove.

One huge plus for the Afghans heading into this series, is the availability of a number of key players who have either been recalled ahead of the Cup or have made their return from injuries or worked out issues with the respective forms.

This series could also be used by the Afghans to help break a long-standing T20 jinx, being that no player has yet managed to score a century against the West Indies during the 8 times the two sides have met within the last decade.

Only opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who is also a part of the squad, has come remotely close with his knock of 79. Some of the key players who will be banking on their past performances against the Windies; include all-rounder Gulbadain Naib who was recalled to the squad for the upcoming series and World Cup.

Vice-skipper Ibrahim Zadaran, who made his debut against the West Indies in 2019, Captain and front-line spinner Rashid Khan, along with his two partners in the slower-bowling department in; Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad will all have the limelight on them over the next few weeks.

One huge surprise recall for the Afghans is the return of the veteran all-rounder in the 41 year-old Mohammad Nabi. arguably the country’s most decorated player, Nabi is one of the World’s leading limited over’s specialists; with a penchant for T20 cricket; regardless of the level.

With more than 20 cricket franchises from across every cricket playing nation to call his home, the old man’s presence is most certainly what Afghanistan need during this upcoming stretch of what could be considered their most important period of cricket all year.

His international T20 record of more than 2000 runs to go along with his 100-plus wickets, this final hooray could pose a danger for not only the West Indies but during the World Cup against other opponents.

West Indies, like a few other nations, have yet to announce their squad for next month’s T20 Cup, further adding to the mystery of the team’s possible makeup for the Afghan series. The likelihood of the Windies making vast changes between this upcoming series and the World Cup, is low due to the Cup itself being co-hosted in Asia between India and Sri Lanka.

The battle against the Afghans will also take place in an Asian setting as the 3-match series will be hosted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE); which is roughly under 6 hours from India and Sri Lanka.

With acclimation being key, especially ahead of such a monumental tournament, it’s safe to say that the Windies will definitely be looking to select players who will familiarise themselves with the conditions in the UAE before going onto play in the Cup.

Despite losing the 5-match T20 series to New Zealand a little before the end of 2025, players like Romario Shepherd, Captain Shai Hope, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Jayden Seales, Roston Chase and Akeal Hosein; will more than likely find themselves making up the core of the Caribbean side’s unit for possibly the Afghan series and the T20 spectacle shortly after.

With no big guns like Andre Russell or Nicholas Pooran to call upon, players like Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Alick Anthnaze, Jediah Blades, Matthew Forde, Shamar Joseph, Alzzarri Joseph to name a few; could all find themselves apart of the World Cup mix having played their roles at one time or the other in T20’s; during 2025.

Although the World Cup will see Windies in Group C and the Afghans in Group D, both teams will be gunning to make the most of the upcoming series; the last bit of action before all eyes shift to the February 7 start to the competition.

It is expected that the Windies will make a full squad announcement soon, with eyes on the pieces who could likely transition over to the World Cup squad, should they perform well during the Afghanistan series.

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• Afghans, ICC T20 World Cup, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Shai Hope, Sherfane Rutherford, West Indies, Windies

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