West Indies have been dealt with a big blow ahead of their ICC T20 World Cup 2021 campaign as rounder Fabian Allen has been ruled out of the showpiece tournament due to an ankle injury.

The defending champions have named Akeal Hosein as Allen’s replacement. Allen picked up the injury during training ahead of the second warm-up clash against Afghanistan.

Alongside a T20I bowling average of 27.05 and economy of 7.21, Allen also possesses a batting strike rate of 138.88 and average of 17.85, while being rated as one of the best fielders in the world. No wonder, the ace all-rounder will be missed by the Caribbean side.

Akeal Hosein, who was initially in the reserve list, will now join the main squad following approval from the Event Technical Committee. In turn, Hosein will be replaced on West Indies’ reserves list by Gudakesh Motie.

As a left-arm finger-spinner, Hosein was the closest to a like-for-like replacement for Allan. He has represented West Indies in 6 T20Is and 9 ODIs so far.

Akeal Hosein will get his first chance to impress in Wednesday’s warm-up match against Afghanistan.

West Indies will open their T20 World Cup campaign against England on October 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. They are slotted in Group 1, alongside Australia, South Africa, England, and the two qualifying teams.

(With ICC inputs)