ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda — Carlos Brathwaite, the star of the West Indies World Twenty win, was Monday named as the new skipper of the T20 squad, succeeding the sacked Darren Sammy.
Brathwaite has been appointed captain for the two Twenty20 internationals the West Indies will play against India at Fort Lauderdale in Florida on Aug. 27 and 28.
The new captain memorably smashed four sixes in the final over against England to win this year’s World T20 final in Mumbai.
“With regards to Sammy’s omission from the squad, the chairman (of selectors) noted that the named-squad was selected purely on players’ performances,” the West Indies Cricket Board said in a statement.
Chairman of selectors Courtney Browne thanked Sammy, 32, for his contribution and expected Brathwaite would prove an inspiring captain.
“Brathwaite is one of the most talented players in the T20 format of the game and his humble and committed approach to the game can inspire young and upcoming players,” added Browne. “We are looking forward to a competitive series against India in these matches.”
Sammy was sacked Friday after a six-year spell in charge had brought success in the 2012 and 2016 Twenty20 championships.
Sammy claimed he was dumped in a 30-second phone call from Browne.
T20 squad
Andre Fletcher, Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Evin Lewis, Jason Holder, Johnson Charles, Kieron Pollard, Lendl Simmons, Marlon Samuels, Samuel Badree, Sunil Narine.
Hanif Mohammad in hospital
Pakistan’s cricket great Hanif Mohammad was Monday shifted to a ventilator after he faced respiratory complications during his ongoing treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.
The former batting legend, who is suffering from lung cancer, was admitted to the hospital on July 31 after a two-week-long struggle with breathing problems and congestion, his son Shoaib Mohammad told a local channel.
After being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013, Hanif underwent surgery in London which helped bring it under control, Shoaib said. “But the cancer spread with time.
“We sent the latest biopsy to our doctor in London and he said that chemotherapy will not be an effective option for further treatment.”
Shoaib, who is a Pakistan International Airlines employee, said new treatments are expensive and will be difficult for him to finance on his own.
Hanif was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1968. In January 2009, Hanif was named along with two other Pakistani players — Imran Khan and Javed Miandad — among the inaugural batch of 55 inductees into the ICC’s Hall of Fame.
