Controversy erupts as Alzarri Joseph ‘declines selection’ for Pakistan Tests, says West Indies head coach Daren Sammy

With just over 24 hours remaining before the start of the first Test between West Indies and Pakistan, the hosts find themselves in the middle of a controversy surrounding the selection of right‑arm pacer Alzarri Joseph.

West Indies announced a 15‑member squad for the series on July 23 (Thursday), stating that Joseph was “unavailable for selection due to personal reasons.” However, head coach Daren Sammy has now confirmed that Joseph had “declined selection.”

“Yeah, it is a big loss. Mr Joseph has declined selection. That’s the reality of the situation,” Sammy told the press at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. “He was selected. I mean, he’s now coming from injury. And for reasons since, he has declined the selection.”

The development comes as a surprise, given Joseph played both Tests against Sri Lanka, claiming six wickets, and was also part of the five‑match ODI series against New Zealand at home, which the hosts lost 3‑2.

“That is a decision that is way over my head,” Sammy said. “I leave that with the directors to come up with whatever solutions where contracted players get to decline selection.”

In Joseph’s absence, the fast‑bowling duties will be shared by Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach, and Jayden Seales, while pace‑bowling all‑rounders Justin Greaves and Keemo Paul will also contribute to easing the workload.

Skipper Roston Chase, Jomel Warrican, and uncapped slow left‑arm orthodox bowler Joshua Bishop will handle the spin department. Bishop has taken 119 wickets in 25 first‑class matches at an average of just 23.90.

Sammy expressed confidence in the bowling attack, insisting they had the players capable of taking 20 wickets and delivering results in the Pakistan series.

“What I could tell you [is that] we have a bowling line‑up that we’ve seen can take 20 wickets. That’s the first step to winning Test matches,” Sammy said when asked about their ability to bowl Pakistan out twice. “We saw it in New Zealand. We saw it in the Australia series. We matched Australia with the ball. We matched New Zealand with the ball as well. And the confidence and the work that the batters have put in, you could see it bearing fruit in the Test series against Sri Lanka, much more consistency coming through.

“So once we match these two, batsmen scoring runs and bowlers taking wickets, we know we have the bowling line‑up to take 20 wickets and help us win Test matches.”