WI-squad-update

Picture Credit: Twitter/@windiescricket

West Indies have decided to include Guyanese all-rounder Romario Shepherd in the squad for the 2nd T20I against Pakistan, scheduled to take place on Saturday. The decision has been taken on the back of recent injuries which have ruled out quite a few players from the second match of the series. Notably, as many as 6 players won't be available for the 2nd T20I, which includes Fabian Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Fidel Edwards, Obed McCoy, Andre Russell and Lendl Simmons.

Out of the above mentioned players, Lendl Simmons was the only player who featured in the series opener couple of days back. Before the match was washed out due to rain, Simmons got a nasty blow on his neck off the bowling of Mohammad Wasim Jr. and had to eventually leave the field.

Shepherd added to WI squad

Cricket West Indies released an official statement on Saturday to confirm the final squad for the 2nd T20I. Reflecting on the newest addition to the squad, they stated, "Shepherd was not in the original 18-member T20I squad for this season. He has been drafted in as some players are unavailable due to injuries."

The final 13-member West Indies squad for 2nd T20I against Pakistan is as follows: Kieron Pollard (Captain), Nicholas Pooran (Vice Captain), Dwayne Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Evin Lewis, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.

Will Shepherd get a game tonight?

Apart from one forced change in the form of Lendl Simmons, West Indies are expected to go with the same line-up that featured in the 1st T20I. Considering the balance of the side, Andre Fletcher is most likely to come in place of Simmons as a like-to-like replacement. However, there is a very slight possibility that West Indies might look to include Shepherd in the playing XI to get another all-round option.

Notably, Shepherd is a fast-bowling all-rounder and has played 7 ODIs and 3 T20Is in his career so far. The 26-year-old has 6 international wickets to his name. He is quite a utility player in the shortest format of the game and would be raring to get an opportunity in this series to make his case for inclusion in national squad for 2021 T20 World Cup.