West Indies, the two-time winners of the Men's ODI World Cup, will commence their qualifier tournament with a match against the United States of America on June 18. The Caribbean side will then face Nepal, hosts Zimbabwe, and the Netherlands in the group stages as they strive to secure one of the two spots available for the ODI World Cup scheduled to take place in India later this year.
Under the guidance of their newly appointed coach, Daren Sammy, the only men's captain to have won the T20 World Cup twice, West Indies enters the tournament with high aspirations. Pace all-rounder Keemo Paul believes that Sammy's presence has already made a significant impact on the team's preparations, fueling their determination to secure qualification.
Paul expressed his admiration for Sammy, describing him as a legend with a calm demeanor and a cool personality. According to Paul, Sammy's presence brings a sense of comfort and motivation to the players, creating a positive atmosphere within the camp.
Confidence in the team's abilities runs high, with Paul firmly believing in their qualification prospects. He refuses to entertain the idea of not qualifying and sees every experience as a learning opportunity, emphasizing the importance of staying positive and moving forward.
Having returned to the West Indies ODI squad for the first time since July 2022, Paul is eager to perform among his teammates, whom he considers his second family. He credits mental toughness for helping him overcome the challenges he faced during his time out of the international side. Paul acknowledges the significance of being mentally strong in cricket and attributes his success to seeking guidance from the right people and finding motivation both externally and from within.
Lead selector Desmond Haynes has identified Paul as a potential match-winner, a label that Paul eagerly embraces. He believes in his ability to make a significant impact on matches and approaches every game with a positive mindset and the determination to be a match-winner. Paul acknowledges that this stage of his career calls for improved performances and is confident that he will soon deliver the game-changing performances that will validate his match-winning status.
As the West Indies team gears up for the Men's ODI World Cup qualifier, they are poised to showcase their talents and fight for a spot in the prestigious tournament. With a talented squad and the guidance of coach Daren Sammy, West Indies aims to qualify for the ODI World Cup and make a strong statement on the international stage.