Akeal Hosein named as a replacement player for Fabian Allen in West Indies team

Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein has been added to the West Indies team for the International T20 Cup after his approval was granted by International Cricket Council (ICC) Event Technical Committee. The 28-year-old will replace all-rounder Fabian Allen, who pulled out of the showpiece event due to an ankle injury.

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Meanwhile, Hosein comes with good form and momentum as he managed to pick 13 wickets in 11 matches in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season.

He was by far the best bowler for Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR). Owing to his good performance in CPL, he was also drafted in as a net bowler by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the UAE leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The left-arm spinner has so far played nine ODIs and six T20Is and has managed to pick 14 and 0 wickets respectively across both formats. Hosein has been a tad bit expensive in the three innings he has bowled for West Indies in the T20Is giving away 78 run off 48 balls. Meanwhile, Allen is gutted to be missing out on the showpiece event. Cricket West Indies (CWI) chief selector Roger Harper said Allen’s all-around capabilities will be missed.

"I know Fabian was really looking forward to playing in this World Cup, so it is very disappointing that he is forced to miss out," Roger Harper, West Indies' chief selector said, according to ESPNCricinfo. "His all-around capabilities will be missed by the team. I would like to wish him a full and speedy recovery and look forward to him being available for squad selection in the near future."

West Indies are placed in Group A and kick off their International T20 campaign by playing against England on Saturday (October 23).