Cricket West Indies (CWI) faces significant challenges in assembling their optimal squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after failed attempts to persuade Nicholas Pooran to reverse his international retirement decision. According to Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe, the organization has exhausted all diplomatic channels to recruit the 29-year-old batting sensation without success.
Pooran, who stunned the cricketing world with his sudden retirement announcement in June, has remained committed to his decision despite CWI’s persistent overtures. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman has been actively participating in various global T20 franchises since stepping away from international cricket.
Bascombe confirmed that communication attempts were made with full awareness that Pooran understood the World Cup implications when he initially retired. ‘We probed and we saw that he mentioned not too long ago that he was quite happy to stick to his decision,’ Bascombe stated during his WESN TV appearance on Saturday.
The recruitment difficulties extend beyond player personnel. CWI has also approached legendary West Indies cricketers Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, and Andre Russell regarding potential roles within the team’s management structure for the tournament. However, scheduling conflicts with the Indian Premier League (IPL) have emerged as a major obstacle, as the World Cup directly transitions into the lucrative franchise tournament.
Bascombe explained the logistical challenges: ‘Anyone who would come on board as part of our team management would pretty much have to sacrifice a lot of time away. The feedback we’ve received indicates they would need to spend extended periods away from home, covering both the World Cup and subsequent IPL commitments.’
The West Indies selectors are now compelled to finalize their World Cup squad following the conclusion of their three-match T20I series against Afghanistan later this month, potentially without one of their most dynamic T20 talents.