President Ali backs West Indies to take third World Cup title

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has made his choice for this year’s Men’s T20 World Cup, being obviously the West Indies. However, what was not as predictable was his choice of players to look out for in the 2024 edition of the global event.
President Ali was at the time competing in a T20 game being played in honour of the 1983 Shell Shield and Geddes Grant/Harrison Line Cup teams. Backing his belief that the West Indies would secure a third T20 title at home this June, the Head of State said the region has the most exciting players in the format.
“I think it’s natural that the World Cup is coming to the West Indies,” he said. “West Indies (have) made tremendous contributions to global cricket. T20 recently, I would say, is our new brand of cricket. We have some of the most exciting players in T20 cricket. Regardless of where we are in the world standing, West Indian cricketers are the most exciting T20 players around the world. There is no other T20 player that can bring the glamour, glare, excitement and speed of bat and ball now to T20 cricket than West Indian cricketers,” President Ali has confidently affirmed.
Asked about his favourite team for the 2-24 title, he added, “So, I think the World Cup coming to the West Indies is a natural home, and I believe we are in a position to make the West Indian fans very happy, and I strongly believe West Indies (are) going to win the World Cup.”

President Ali disclosed the names of players he thinks could make an impact at the upcoming World Cup, among whom are two Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) stars from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
The Head of State declared, “I haven’t seen the final teams as yet, but I think if the Pakistani team play Saim Ayub, then he knows the wickets. I think he has shown in the CPL (that) he loved this environment. He’s someone to look at. Gurbaz is someone also to look at from Afghanistan. Also, look at Afghanistan’s team; that team has some very good players for these conditions here in the Caribbean.
“I believe the players that will make this World Cup will be some of the less known players, some of the younger players, and there’re some very exciting young players that we’re seeing now.”
In articulating his confidence in the Guyanese people to support the West Indies, who will begin their campaign on local shores, President Ali shared other plans for the sport when he
highlighted, “Guyanese have always supported West Indies cricket, Guyanese are enthusiastic with the fans. I think it’s good that West Indies are starting off here, and I believe we will lay a solid foundation for them.”
Further, he stated about plans for the sport, “Much more than the game of cricket here, I think what we’re planning to do for cricket as a government and as a people, and sports in general, is revolutionary. The type of investments we’re making in grounds and facilities across the country, and now moving to the Academy, focusing on fast bowling…
“The only way we’re going to give youngsters a chance (is) franchise cricket, and the only way we’re going to be a part of franchise cricket is if we have world class facilities here, where people can come from around the world and do spotting.
“We have to create an infrastructure and ecosystem here where we have cricketers from across the region plying their trade here, and where international spotters can come and do selection. That is important.”
The World Cup tournament will commence on June 1 in Texas, USA, while West Indies gets started on June 2 against Papua New Guinea at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.