Andre Russell to miss T20s vs Pakistan in UAE

Caribbean all-rounder Andre Russell will miss the upcoming T20 series against Pakistan in Dubai, the West Indies Selection panel announced on Friday.

One of the leading all-rounders in the modern generation, Russell has asked the board to withdraw his name from the team to attend a personal matter.

The hard-hitting all-rounder has been replaced by fast-medium bowler Kesrick Williams. The 26-year-old is yet to play in the international circuit. He has represented Windward Island Volcanoes and Combined Campuses in the WICB Cricket League and plays for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League.

Williams, one of the leading bowlers in the last CPL, with 17 wickets to his kitty, played a key part in the Jamaica Tallawahs to win the title for the second time. The fast bowler was also included in the West Indies A squad for the tour of Sri Lanka which will commence from October 24.

Russell’s unavailability might be a blow for West Indies as the all-rounder has added much-needed stability and balance in the team with his all-round abilities. He has been T20 teams across the world and has been a vital member for the West Indies.

Though his record at the international circuit doesn’t look impressive, we can hope to see some heroics from the swashbuckling all-rounder in the coming years.

Apart from the 3 T20s, West Indies is also scheduled to play 3 Tests and as many ODIs at Dubai. For the first time, we will witness a pink ball Test match in Asia.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement that it “will host its first ever day-night Test match from October 13-17 to be played with the pink ball under lights at the Dubai cricket stadium”.

The day-night Tests will also give the fans an opportunity to watch the game after working hours.

The PCB had offered to host the T20s in Pakistan but the West Indies board refused it on security issues. Pakistan hasn’t hosted any international cricket, apart from a short series against African minnows Zimbabwe last year, since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009.

Despite playing their home Tests away from Pakistan, the team has climbed up to the top of the ladder in the ICC Test rankings after drawing the Test series in England 2-2.