Category: CANA News

Following an impressive showing in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Kamil Pooran has earned a maiden callup to the West Indies T20I squad to face India in their upcoming white-ball tour of the subcontinent.

The 30-year-old opening batsman was named in the West Indies’ 15-man squad, which was revealed by Cricket West Indies on Saturday and also sees the recall of exciting lower order batter Quentin Sampson.

The regional side will take on the top ranked India in three One Day Internationals from September 27 to October 3, before playing a five-match T20I series that runs from October 6 to 17.

Pooran is currently the seventh highest run scorer in this year’s CPL, despite his St Lucia Kings failing to make the playoffs.

He scored 273 runs in eight innings at an average of 39 with a strike rate of 159.64.

Meanwhile, Sampson, who was dropped for the T20I series earlier this year against Sri Lanka, makes his return after a decent showing in the CPL for the Guyana Amazon Warriors, where he scored 141 runs in 12 matches at an average of 28.20.

CWI confirmed that veteran all-rounder Jason Holder has been rested for the series.

Head coach Daren Sammy said the team had been selected with a clear focus on long-term objectives.

‘We are looking to build on the momentum from our series win against Sri Lanka, with the long-term goal of developing a strong core of players ahead of the next T20 World Cup.

‘The challenge of playing against the World Champions at home will provide valuable preparation, allowing us to continue improving and developing both individually and as a collective unit,’ Sammy said.

John Campbell makes his return to the ODI team after suffering a hamstring injury in the series against New Zealand, while Ackeem Auguste has been ruled out of the tour as he continues his rehabilitation after undergoing surgery in August.

He has been replaced by Jewel Andrew who will serve as a top and middle order batting option.

Shimron Hetmyer, who featured in the last two matches of the New Zealand series and has been in prolific form in the CPL for the Amazon Warriors, has been permitted an extended recovery period and will miss the ODI series, but will join the squad for the T20I series.

Regardless of the outcome of the ODI series, the West Indies will have to participate in the ICC’s qualification tournament early next year to book their spot in the World Cup.

Despite this, Sammy reiterated the importance of the series of matches.

‘Playing against the top team in the world presents us with a chance to fine tune and improve our performances as an ODI team which has seen quality performances across the cycle.

‘The series also creates a valuable platform to assess players who are stepping into important roles for this series with a long-term target of competing in the World Cup in 2027,’ Sammy said.

The squad departs the Caribbean on Monday and will arrive in Trivandrum on September 23.

WEST INDIES ODI SQUAD: Shai Hope (captain), Jewel Andrew, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales.

WEST INDIES T20I SQUAD: Shai Hope (captain), Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Kamil Pooran, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, Sept 19, CMC – The House of Representatives has passed the Special Operations Bill, 2026, to give law enforcement additional powers to tackle violent crime in designated areas.

The Bill was approved shortly after midnight, following more than 13 hours of debate in the House on Friday.

It replaces the previous Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) legislation and establishes seven policing districts across the country.

The Bill now goes to the Senate

Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew says the deeper meaning of independence goes beyond self-government, describing it as a responsibility to believe in, build and care for the country.

In an Independence Day message marking St Kitts and Nevis’ 43rd anniversary of independence on Saturday, Drew said the occasion was deeply personal because the twin-island federation was not only the country he serves, but his home.

‘Its people are my people,’ he said, adding that the country’s communities had shaped him, its values grounded him and its possibilities continued to inspire him.

Reflecting on the country’s progress, Drew said its achievements should not be attributed to any single government, institution or individual.

‘I see the work of generations,’ he said, pointing to the sacrifices of the country’s elders, the determination of workers, the ambition of young people, the strength of families and the enduring love of Kittitians and Nevisians at home and abroad.

‘That, to me, is the deeper meaning of independence,’ Drew said.

He said independence was not simply about the freedom to govern the country, but also about the responsibility to believe in and build for itself, care for one another and leave behind a country that is ‘stronger, fairer, and filled with greater opportunity’ than the one inherited.

‘We have achieved so much together. We have faced challenges together. And through it all, we have continued to move forward together,’ the Prime Minister said.

As the country marked 43 years of nationhood, Drew expressed gratitude for its people and confidence in the future.

‘There is so much more we can build, so much more we can achieve, and so much more we can become,’ he said.

Drew ended his message by expressing pride in being a citizen of St Kitts and Nevis and called for the country to remain ‘one people, connected by home, united by purpose, and inspired by endless possibility.’

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been named in India’s One Day International squad to face West Indies in a three-match series later this month.

The duo has been included in a 15-man ODI squad, but will not feature in the following five-match T20I series.

The BCCI announced the squads recently, with pacer Auqib Nabi receiving his maiden ODI call-up after being part of the Test squad for India’s tour of Sri Lanka in August, although he did not make his debut, while batter Naman Dhir has also earned his maiden call-up.

Ruturaj Gaikwad returns to the Indian set-up after last featuring in an ODI during the home series against South Africa last year, while Ravindra Jadeja is also back in the ODI fold after having last featured in the ODI series against New Zealand in January.

In the T20I squad, Mayank Yadav returns to the India set-up after missing the T20I series against Afghanistan. Kuldeep Yadav and Prince Yadav have also been recalled, strengthening the bowling unit.

INDIA’S ODI SQUAD: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Naman Dhir.

INDIA’S T20I SQUAD: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav.

When the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and the Jamaica Kingsmen clash in the final of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League at Kensington Oval on Sunday, history will be made regardless the outcome.

The Moeen Ali-led Falcons will be seeking their first ever CPL title, while the Jamaican franchise will be hoping to lift their first title since being renamed.

If their meeting in the preliminary stage is anything to go by, fans are in for an exciting game that will keep them glued too their seats and televisions.

The two teams met in the very first match of this year’s competition, with the Falcons scraping home by two wickets off the very last ball of the match.

Much has changed since then, with the Kingsmen, led by former West Indies captain Rovman Powell, rebounding from losing their first three matches to make the playoffs by the slimmest of margins on their way to qualifying for the final, while the Falcons produced their best ever performance in the competition by finishing second.

The Falcons have been led by their superb bowling attack, marshaled by fast bowler Alzarri Joseph. It was on show in their Qualifier against the Guyana Amazon Warriors where they bundled out their opponents for just 76, with spinners Sufyam Moqim and Shadab Khan both grabbing four wickets.

Meanwhile, the Kingsmen’s batters have been responsible for their progression, as was evident in chasing down the Amazon Warriors’ formidable total of 206 for four by posting 207 for five in 19.4 overs to advance to the final.

Speaking during a pre-match press conference on Saturday, Ali said he expected a stiff challenge from the Kingsmen.

‘We’re very happy to be in a final and things are going really well. We’ve just got better and better as the tournament’s gone on, played quite consistently and obviously with one more game to go anything can happen.

‘Unless you win the final, coming second doesn’t really matter so much, so it’s a big game against a very, very good side. We felt like Jamaica was the most dangerous side, they’ve got some match winners and they’re a very, very good side so we’re looking forward to a really good game and hopefully win,’ Ali said.

Meanwhile, Powell said his troops would have to come up with a plan to neutralize the Falcons.

‘I think to be honest we’re pleased to be in a final. When we sat down as a group before the start of the competition, we outlined three goals; to see if we can get in the playoffs, and once we got in the playoffs the second goal was to push for the final and the third goal is if we get to the final to see if we can cross the line.

‘When you look at it, it’s been up and down for us. When you look at the start and how we started the competition, I think that as the competition got on, we progressively got better as a team and started to find those winning formulas,’ Powell said.

‘Tomorrow should be a very good game. Antigua is one of those teams that has played the best throughout the entire CPL and that’s why they finished in the top two. They have a lot of match winners so it’s for us to come up with those little plans and see how best we can get over the line.’

The House of Representatives has passed the Special Operations Bill, 2026, to give law enforcement additional powers to tackle violent crime in designated areas.

The Bill was approved shortly after midnight, following more than 13 hours of debate in the House on Friday.

It replaces the previous Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) legislation and establishes seven policing districts across the country.

The Bill now goes to the Senate.

Under the legislation, specific locations within those districts may be declared ‘closed areas’ for limited periods, allowing authorities to impose measures including curfews, cordons, checkpoints, road closures and restrictions on entry and exit.

The legislation also provides for searches without a warrant in specified circumstances.

Wrapping up the debate, Attorney General John Jeremie said the Government was not promising that the legislation would eliminate crime but would regard it as successful if it contributed to a sustained reduction in violent criminal activity.

‘A continuing reduction in the levels of violent criminal activity in our country is what we seek,’ Jeremie said.

He said the ultimate objective was a return to peace, while acknowledging that no legislation could provide a perfect solution to crime.

Jeremie also defended the constitutionality of the measure, pointing to parliamentary scrutiny, judicial oversight and a two-year sunset clause as safeguards.

The Bill does not expressly invoke Sections 4 and 5 of the Constitution or seek passage under Section 13, which would have required a three-fifths majority. It was passed by a simple majority.

That issue was strongly challenged by Opposition MP for Port-of-Spain South, Senior Counsel Keith Scotland, who argued that the legislation infringes fundamental rights and should have been subject to the constitutional requirements for legislation affecting those rights.

Scotland said the Opposition supports stronger policing, intelligence-led operations and efforts to dismantle criminal organisations, but argued that existing laws, including the Offences Against Persons Act, Anti-Gang Act and Firearms Act, already give authorities powers to address criminal activity.

He also criticised the level of executive discretion under the legislation, particularly in relation to curfews, cordons and warrantless searches.

Jeremie rejected those concerns, maintaining that the measures were proportionate to the threat posed by violent crime.

‘There is a legitimate object being pursued, we say, by proportionate measures,’ he said.

He also rejected the suggestion that the creation of seven policing districts would move the country towards a police state.

‘The legislation does establish police districts. But police districts don’t equate to a police state,’ Jeremie said.

Under the Bill, the President may declare closed areas and curfews by Order following an application from the Minister of Homeland Security, once the statutory requirements are met.

Jeremie said the President’s discretion under the legislation is circumscribed and maintained that the powers provided by the Bill are executive in nature.

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) says a 26-year-old Saint Lucian man wanted in Martinique on several criminal charges has been extradited to the French territory.

Jahvis Marlon Alfred of Wiltons Yard, Castries, was extradited to Martinique on Thursday, after surrendering to French authorities through established legal cooperation arrangements.

According to the police, Alfred was wanted in Martinique on charges including armed robbery, criminal conspiracy and firearm offences.

The RSLPF said the cpurt in Martinique had sentenced Alfred to 15 years in prison in November 2021.

He was arrested in Saint Lucia on February 7, 2026, and held at the Bordelais Correctional Facility on a provisional warrant pending the extradition proceedings.

The police said the case demonstrates the role of international law enforcement cooperation in pursuing individuals across jurisdictions.

‘To those contemplating criminal activity: Think carefully about the consequences of your actions. The reach of the law does not end at the border,’ the RSLPF said.

The force also reaffirmed its commitment to working with regional and international partners to support investigations, facilitate judicial proceedings and promote public safety.

The Organisation of American States (OAS) will collaborate with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Antigua and Barbuda to strengthen democratic participation, responsible citizenship and youth engagement within the country’s education system.

The OAS said the initiative was launched this week during its first consultation mission to Antigua and Barbuda, marking the beginning of the project.

The September 15-16 mission was led by OAS Education Specialist Cecilia Martins and brought together curriculum development experts, policymakers, education professionals, students and other stakeholders.

Minister of Education, Science and Technology Daryll Matthew said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to creating learning environments where students develop the knowledge, skills and values needed for active and informed citizenship.

The technical assistance is being coordinated by the OAS Department of Human Development, Education and Employment (DHDEE), under the Directorate of Education and Culture of the OAS Executive Secretariat for Integral Development, through the Democratic Education and Citizenship Programme (DEMEP).

The OAS said DEMEP brings together 29 member states and promotes implementation of Article 16 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, which recognises education as an important means of strengthening democratic institutions, developing human potential and alleviating poverty.

The initiative, funded by the United States, will support a review of existing policies, curricula and initiatives and help identify priorities for future training and tool development.

The OAS said the experience will also contribute to the exchange of best practices through the Inter-American Committee on Education and related follow-up mechanisms.

A second man wanted in connection with the 2015 murder of sex worker Noel ‘Nephi’ Luther is now in the custody of Guyanese authorities following his deportation from the United States.

Kanand Ojha arrived in Guyana on Friday and was handed over to local law enforcement at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport before being flown to the Eugene F. Correia International Airport. He was subsequently taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters.

Ojha was arrested in Queens, New York, on September 8, 2025, by the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force in connection with the murder. His removal from the United States followed coordinated action involving the Guyana Police Force, the U.S. Marshals Service, the US Department of Homeland Security, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations and other US law-enforcement partners.

Guyana had issued a wanted bulletin for Ojha in July 2019.

Luther was shot at about 2:35 a.m. on July 22, 2015, at the corner of Carmichael and Quamina Streets in Georgetown. He was subsequently pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Reports at the time said the incident stemmed from a dispute involving a client who had allegedly returned to the area with Ojha. Ojha was accused of shooting Luther once in the chest before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.

Ojha’s alleged accomplice, Ron ‘Andel’ Forde, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2017 after pleading guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter in connection with Luther’s death.

The Guyana Government had previously said Ojha’s arrest resulted from continued collaboration between the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Attorney General’s Chambers and US authorities under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters framework.

With Ojha’s return to Guyana, local authorities are expected to proceed with the legal process concerning the murder allegation against him.

Regulars Deandra Dottin and Qiana Joseph have not been included in a West Indies Women’s 15-member squad to tour Zimbabwe for One Day International and T20I series starting next week.

The team, which will play a three-match ODI and T20I series between September 24 and October 7, was announced by Cricket West Indies on Saturday, with the 35-year-old Dottin and 25-year-old Joseph the most notable omissions.

Dottin, a veteran of 158 ODIs and 154 T20Is, has been granted personal leave, while opening batter Joseph has lost her place in the side following a drop in form.

She has played 40 T20Is and averages 16.28, while in 31 ODIs she has a slightly better average of 19.44. They have been replaced by all-rounder and Under-19 World Cup prospect Eboni Brathwaite and Chinelle Henry, who returns to the squad following an injury that impacted her T20 World Cup campaign.

Captain Hayley Matthews will lead the team in the ODI leg before taking personal leave and departing the squad ahead of the T20I series.

The series forms part of the West Indies Women’s continued preparation across both formats, with the team looking to build on the progress made during the Ireland tour and the T20 World Cup campaign.

Head coach Shane Deitz said the tour was a perfect opportunity for the young squad.

‘We are looking forward to this tour of Zimbabwe. They are a side we haven’t played much, and, in their conditions, there will be some challenges.

‘We have a young squad, so this is a great opportunity for some players to step up and take their opportunity at this level,’ Deitz said.

WEST INDIES WOMEN’S SQUAD: Hayley Matthews (captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Eboni Brathwaite, Shemaine Campbelle, Jahzara Claxton, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Realeanna Grimmond, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor.

Series Schedule

1st ODI – September 24 @Harare Sports Club, Harare

2nd ODI – September 27 @Harare Sports Club, Harare

3rd ODI – September 30 @Harare Sports Club, Harare

1st T20I – September 24 @Takashinga Cricket Club, Highfield

2nd T20I – September 27 @Takashinga Cricket Club, Highfield

3rd T20I – September 30 @Takashinga Cricket Club, Highfield