### West Indies Cricket Team Prepares for T20 World Cup with Afghanistan Series Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a 16-player squad for a crucial three-match T20 International series against Afghanistan, scheduled to take place in Dubai from January 19-22, 2026. This series serves as a vital preparation for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7, 2026. Notably, the squad will be led by Brandon King, who will captain a team that is considered understrength due to the absence of several key players [https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20260113/king-lead-understrength-west-indies-against-afghanistan][https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/brandon-king-ewin-lewis-return-as-west-indies-name-squad-for-t20i-series-vs-afghanistan-article-153441182]. ### Overview of the West Indies Squad and Series Structure 1. **Squad Composition**: - The squad includes notable players such as Brandon King (captain), Ewin Lewis, and uncapped Quentin Sampson, highlighting a mix of experience and new talent [https://newsday.co.tt/2026/01/13/uncapped-quentin-sampson-in-wi-squad-for-afghan-t20s-2][https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/mens-t20-world-cup-2026/news/west-indies-begin-t20wc-build-up-with-afghanistan-series]. 2. **Match Schedule**: - The T20 series will consist of three matches held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium from January 19 to January 22, 2026 [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3767737-west-indies-unveil-squad-for-crucial-t20-series-against-afghanistan]. 3. **Preparation for World Cup**: - This series is seen as a critical step in the West Indies' preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup, allowing the team to acclimatize to subcontinental conditions [https://guyanachronicle.com/2026/01/13/cwi-announces-squad-for-t20-series-against-afghanistan-2][https://abstvradio.com/west-indies-announce-t20-squad-to-face-afghanistan]. ### Key Players and Their Roles - **Brandon King (Captain)**: Leading the team, King is expected to guide the squad through this preparatory phase and into the World Cup [https://www.cricketnmore.com/cricket-news/lewis-joseph-return-as-wi-announce-squad-for-afg-t20is-185976]. - **Ewin Lewis**: A seasoned player returning to the squad, his experience will be crucial in high-pressure situations [https://ianslive.in/lewis-joseph-return-as-wi-announce-squad-for-afg-t20is--20260113142829]. - **Quentin Sampson**: The inclusion of this uncapped player indicates a strategic move to inject fresh talent into the team [https://newsday.co.tt/2026/01/13/uncapped-quentin-sampson-in-wi-squad-for-afghan-t20s-2]. ### Conclusion: Strategic Importance of the Afghanistan Series In summary, the upcoming T20 series against Afghanistan is a pivotal moment for the West Indies cricket team as they gear up for the T20 World Cup. The squad, led by Brandon King, will face challenges due to its understrength nature but aims to build confidence and cohesion ahead of the tournament. 1. **Preparation Focus**: The series is essential for acclimatization and team building. 2. **Key Players**: The return of experienced players and the introduction of new talent will be critical. 3. **World Cup Readiness**: Success in this series could set the tone for the West Indies' performance in the World Cup starting February 7, 2026 [https://guyanachronicle.com/2026/01/12/cwi-to-name-t20-wc-squad-after-afghanistan-series][https://villagevoicenews.com/2026/01/12/west-indies-to-finalize-t20-world-cup-squad-after-afghanistan-series].