The West Indies national cricket team will be without their star players in the ICC World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe this year as the 15-man squad includes Chris Gayle but players such as Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Sunil Naraine and Darren Bravo have opted out of the tournament.
The West Indies chairman of selectors, Courtney Browne has revealed that the players who have opted out of the team want to play for the Pakistan Super League instead.
"We are pleased that Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels have indicated their full support and commitment to the cause," he said. "Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Darren Bravo and Andre Russell however indicated that they were unavailable to help us qualify as their priority was playing in the Pakistan Super League."
The Pakistan T20 league will be played from February 22 to March 25 while the ICC WC qualifiers will commence from March 4-25.
The chairman of selectors had also acknowledged that all-rounder Bravo wasn't considered for the selection as the player did not want to represent the nation any longer.
"Dwayne Bravo was not contacted as he had indicated previously that he is no longer available to play cricket for the West Indies," said Browne.
Carlos Brathwaite is back in the 15-man squad which will be led by Jason Holder. jason Mohammed has been named vice-captain whereas Shimron Hetmyer has managed to retain his place after a poor performance in the recent ODI series against New Zealand.
The Jason Holder led team will square off against Ireland, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Netherlands, Scotland, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea and two more teams from the ICC World Cricket League division.
West Indies squad: Jason Holder (C), Jason Mohammed (vice-capt), Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Marlon Samuels, Shai Hope (wk), Carlos Brathwaite, Rovman Powell, Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cotterell, Nikita Miller, Kesrick Williams, Kemar Roach, Shimron Hetmyer, Devendra Bishoo.
