Keemo Paul a late addition to squad facing Pakistan
Published:Wednesday | June 8, 2022 | 12:11 AM
MULTAN, Pakistan (CMC):
AFTER AN outstanding performance in the recently concluded Regional Four-Day Championship, all-rounder Keemo Paul has been added to the West Indies squad for the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series in Pakistan which began this morning.
Speaking at a virtual press conference ahead of this morning’s start, 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 yesterday, 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 which arrived 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 Honourable 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.
Paul was also among the leading all-rounders with 169 runs, including a highest score of 73.
CARIBBEAN TEAM
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 other two matches, which will also be held at the Multan Stadium, 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, and Hayden Walsh Jr.