The eight-team tournament will be played in Zimbabwe from June 18, as the West Indies look to secure one of the two final places in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to be played in India later this year.
Both players have also been selected for the three-match ODI series against United Arab Emirates in Sharjah to be played on June 5, 7 and 9.
Paul and Motie last represented West Indies at the ODI level in July of last year but were unable to participate in the subsequent New Zealand series due to injuries.
Paul recently made a comeback in domestic cricket, showcasing his skills by scoring 53 runs and claiming five wickets for Guyana against Trinidad & Tobago in the four-day West Indies Championship held in March. Currently, he is serving as a net bowler for the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.
Shimron Hetmyer, meanwhile, did not find a place in either squad.
According to lead selector Desmond Haynes, "Paul is a versatile player who excels in bowling with the new ball, showcases dynamism in the outfield, and contributes significantly with crucial runs. He has made a full recovery from his injury, and considering his skill set, we believe he has the potential to be a match-winner for us."
Haynes also commented on Motie, stating, "Motie delivered an outstanding performance in the Test matches in Zimbabwe earlier this year, where he took 19 wickets. We anticipate similar conditions during the qualifiers, and we expect him to thrive in such bowling conditions. Additionally, he is a capable batsman and a valuable asset in the outfield."
Cricket West Indies plans to provide players participating in the IPL with an opportunity to rest and recover ahead of the Qualifiers. As a result, four uncapped players—Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Dominic Drakes, and Akeem Jordan—have been named in the squad for the UAE series as cover.
West Indies were consigned to the Qualifier after a ninth-place finish in Cricket World Cup Super League, 10 points adrift from South Africa, who claimed the final automatic place this week while watching other results go their way.
West Indies ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier squad:
Shai Hope (captain), Rovman Powell (vice captain), Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd.
Squad for UAE ODIs:
Shai Hope (captain), Brandon King (vice captain), Alick Athanaze, Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Dominic Drakes, Kavem Hodge, Akeem Jordan, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Raymon Reifer, Odean Smith, Devon Thomas.
