Just hours before their opening ODI against Pakistan, the West Indies have been forced into a squad reshuffle after young fast bowler Matthew Forde suffered a dislocated shoulder during a training mishap. The injury, which occurred while Forde attempted a catch in practice, has sidelined the right-arm pacer for the entire three-match series.
Rising Prospect Johann Layne Gets the Nod
In Forde’s absence, the selectors have drafted in 21-year-old Johann Layne—a promising but uncapped all-rounder who’s been making steady progress with the West Indies A side. Layne, a product of the West Indies Academy, impressed in the recent series against South Africa A, contributing with both bat and ball. In 12 List A appearances, he has tallied 124 runs and claimed 13 wickets, earning himself a shot at the senior level.
The West Indies Cricket Board confirmed the change via their official X (formerly Twitter) account, noting Layne’s call-up and Forde’s unfortunate exit from the squad.
Pakistan Series Crucial for World Cup Hopes
The ODI series, which kicks off August 8 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, carries more weight than just bilateral bragging rights. West Indies head coach Darren Sammy has stressed the importance of this series in the context of qualification for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup.
With Pakistan entering the tour ranked higher, the Caribbean side sees this as an opportunity to claw back vital ranking points after a narrow 2-1 loss in the T20I leg of the tour.
“Facing Pakistan is always a challenge, but it’s the kind of test we need,” Sammy said. “It’s not just about winning this series—it’s about laying the groundwork for automatic World Cup qualification and building a team culture focused on consistency and resilience.”
What’s Next
All eyes now turn to Tarouba, where the first ODI will set the tone for the rest of the series. While the injury to Forde is a setback, it opens the door for Layne to make a mark on the international stage—and potentially stake a claim in the team’s long-term plans.
