Shamar Joseph and Evin Lewis are making a comeback to the West Indies squad for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, having recovered from injuries. They'll be joined by newbie Quentin Sampson, who's earned his maiden international call-up after a breakout performance in the 2025 Caribbean Premier League. Brandon King will lead the team in Shai Hope's absence, with big names like Roston Chase and Akeal Hosein missing the series due to SA20 commitments. Alzarri Joseph, the fast bowler, is still recovering from an injury and wasn't included in the West Indies squad for the Afghanistan T20Is. CWI stated he's shown "encouraging progress" but will undergo further medical assessment before being considered for T20 World Cup selection. The West Indies squad was scheduled to depart the Caribbean on January 14 and arrive in the UAE on January 16. The Afghanistan series is a crucial warm-up for the global tournament, and the squad for the T20 World Cup will be announced soon, with the team hosting South Africa for a T20I series from January 27-31. The series, scheduled for January 19-22 in Dubai, serves as a crucial warm-up for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup starting February 7.