History will be created this weekend when West Indies face Nepal to launch their T20 International Unity Cup series in the United Arab Emirates. The two teams will meet for the first time at a neutral venue, the historic Sharjah International Stadium. The series will feature three matches with the first contest under the lights on Saturday night (11amBarbados Time).
Akeal Hosein, the left-arm spinner, will captain the West Indies for the first time, in the absence of Shai Hope who is with the Test squad in India. The 32-year-old Hosein put in a timely Man of the Match performance in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final last Sunday night to help Trinbago Knight Riders to their fifth CPL title.
“To be named captain is an honour and a privilege. We are very happy to be here and take part in the Unity Cup. We are looking forward to playing some good cricket. I haven’t played against Nepal before, but I do follow a lot of cricket and it’s good to see them making strides,” Hosein said at the pre-series media briefing on Friday in Dubai.
Nepal call themselves the Rhinos. They are being coached by Stuart Law, the former West Indies head coach. The Australian is confident ahead of the series but pointed out that the result is not as important as what followed in the T20 World Cup qualification tournament in Oman, when they will bid for one of three places available.
“It’s an exciting time. They’re an emerging nation and they have the ambition to become a Test playing nation … the passion is there and the desire is there to get it done, and not just from the players but the administration as well,” Law said.
