MULTAN, Pakistan, CMC – After an outstanding performance in the recent Regional Four-Day Championship, all rounder Keemo Paul has been added to the West Indies squad for the three-match One-Day International Series (ODI) in Pakistan beginning today.
Speaking at a virtual press conference ahead of the first ODI, captain Nicholas Pooran said Paul was headed to Pakistan and was due to arrive last night.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed in a press release issued later in the day that Paul, who finished as the leading fast bowler and second highest wicket taker in the West Indies Championship that ended on Saturday, would join the rest of the squad who arrived here on Monday after a 3-0 series win in The Netherlands.
“Keemo Paul has been kept out in the recent past due to injury and we view the management of his body as paramount to his success, not only when on West Indies duty but also when he is with his regional franchise. We have watched him perform in the recent West Indies Championship Four-Day Competition for the Guyana Harpy Eagles and we think he is ready to come back into the fold,” said CWI’s lead selector the Most Honorable Dr. Desmond Haynes.
The 24-year-old Guyanese ended the Four-Day Championship with 20 wickets at an average of 22.8 runs per wicket from the five matches.
He had best figures of 6-50. He was also among the leading all-rounders with 169 runs including a highest score of 73.
The West Indies tour of Pakistan forms part of the ICC ODI Super League, where the Caribbean team will have the chance to earn points as they try to secure automatic qualification to the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India.
The first match will bowl off at 4 p.m. local time (7 a.m. Eastern Caribbean/6 a.m. Jamaica) at Multan International Cricket Stadium. The other two matches, which will be held at the same venue, are scheduled for Friday and Sunday.
FULL SQUAD: Nicholas Pooran (captain), Shai Hope (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Keacy Carty, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Shermon Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Keemo Paul, Anderson Phillip, Rovman Powell, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jr.
