The duo have been brought in as replacements for Justin Ontong and Lasith Malinga with both ruled out of the tournament though injury. The loss of Malinga could hit them hard with the Sri Lankan fast-bowler known to be among the very best in the world in limited overs cricket.

Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal and David Wiese, the South African all-rounder are also poised to link with the Amazon Warriors once Sri Lanka duo Tillakaratne Dilshan and Thisara Perera depart for the upcoming 5-match ODI series against Pakistan. The series is slated to begin on July 11.

The Caribbean Premier League also announced two more changes. Nicolas Pooran, the young wicketkeeper, has been ruled out from the tournament through injury with Shane Dowrich replacing him in the side for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots.

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan has also had to cancel his participation in the CPL because of international commitments with Bangladesh. The side are to play three ODIs in a home series against India which will be followed by another series against South Africa, which will only end on August 3.

Eddie Lee will replace him in the first four games for the St Lucia Zouks before New Zealand all-rounder Nathan McCullum arrives for the remainder of the T20 extravaganza. McCullum can be a dangerous customer with the bat and has been a decent bowler for the BlackCaps in the past few years.

Shakib’s absence will be a major blow for the side. He is one of the best all-rounders in the business and would have been extremely handy with the ball in the conditions at West Indies. However, one of the players who will stick around for the entirety of the tournament for the Zouks is Kevin Pietersen, who had been sacked by England earlier this year.