Permaul called up as cover for Gabriel

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul has been called up to the West Indies squad as cover for speedster Shannon Gabriel, ahead of Tuesday’s final one-dayer against Pakistan.

Gabriel is struggling with his right hamstring niggle and will undergo a fitness Test on Tuesday morning before his place in the starting XI is determined, head coach Stuart Law said in a West Indies Cricket Board release.

The right-arm pacer has emerged as a crucial cog in the Windies side and has taken 18 wickets in 12 One-Day Internationals since his debut last June.

Last month, Gabriel was also ruled out of the final one-dayer of the three-match series against England after he picked up a side strain.

Permaul, meanwhile, has not played international cricket in two years and suited up for the last of his six ODIs four years ago.

West Indies will chase a series win in Tuesday’s final game, after winning the first match by four wickets but losing the second by 74 runs.

SQUAD – Jason Holder (captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jonathan Carter, Miguel Cummins, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Veerasammy Permaul, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell, Chadwick Walton.