West Indies will have to tackle Pakistan without Matthew Forde after the lively seamer dislocated his right shoulder in training on Wednesday. The three-match one-day series begins in Tarouba on Friday, and Forde’s misfortune has opened the door for 21-year-old Johann Layne, promoted from the West Indies Academy.
Cricket West Indies confirmed the change on Wednesday evening. A short medical update read, “Matthew sustained a dislocated shoulder while attempting a catch. He will undergo further assessment and rehab.” It is a blow for a side that values his late-order hitting just as much as the new-ball zip. Only in May, Forde rattled up the fastest fifty in men’s ODIs – 16 balls against Ireland – something that feels even more remarkable now he is stuck on the sidelines.
Layne joins a pace group of Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph, Romario Shepherd and Jediah Blades, with Gudakesh Motie the lone specialist spinner. Alzarri Joseph has been rested after a heavy workload. Head coach Daren Sammy was matter-of-fact: “Injuries happen, that’s sport. Johann’s been training hard and deserves his shot.”
Pakistan, ranked fourth, edged the T20I leg 2-1 in Lauderhill, yet the mood inside the West Indian camp remains upbeat. They have stitched together three successive ODI series wins – England twice (both 2-1) and Bangladesh (3-0) – despite playing just four series since January 2023. Captain Shai Hope pointed to that record and added, “We’ve found a rhythm in 50-over cricket, and the boys are keen to keep it rolling.”
Long-term context matters. West Indies sit tenth in the ICC rankings, and only the top nine at next year’s cut-off date qualify automatically for the 2027 World Cup. Beating Pakistan – six places higher – would put a decent dent in that gap, but, equally, a defeat would leave them with ground to make up later in the cycle.
First things first, though: replacing Forde’s powerplay accuracy and finishing-over firepower. Layne bowls a brisk heavy length, bats a bit and fields well, yet international cricket, as Sammy warns, “is a different arena altogether”. Friday in Tarouba will tell us how quickly he can adjust.
