Cricketing legend Sir Vivian Richards has expressed his frustration over the West Indies' failure to qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy, urging the regional side to take inspiration from Afghanistan, a team that has made remarkable strides in international cricket.

While the West Indies and Sri Lanka, both former world champions, failed to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy, Afghanistan has continued to rise on the global stage. They not only qualified for the tournament but also defeated defending champions England in a high-scoring encounter, further solidifying their growing reputation in international cricket.

Speaking to the Indian Express, Richards lamented the state of West Indies cricket, emphasizing the need for a collective effort from both players and administrators to restore the team's past glory.

"I’m just hoping that my West Indies team can take a leaf out of these guys’ book because there is a passion and energy that the Afghanis have brought to the game," Richards said.

"They haven’t been in the cricket world for as long as some other teams, but just their fighting spirit and ability to learn has helped them progress. When you can see Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy, and the West Indies not, it means Afghanistan is doing something right."

In recent years, Afghanistan has emerged as a dominant force in Asian cricket, showcasing consistent performances in ICC tournaments. Their historic win over England in the Champions Trophy, coupled with their impressive semi-final run in the 2024 T20 World Cup, highlights their growth as a competitive side.

In stark contrast, the West Indies' decline in ODI cricket has been evident. After failing to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup, their absence from the Champions Trophy has further exposed the cracks in the system. The team’s struggles have been attributed to a combination of poor administration, lack of structured development, and inconsistent performances on the field.

Richards did not mince words when addressing the role of Cricket West Indies (CWI) in the team's decline.

"In order for us to get ourselves back where we once were, it is going to take maybe not just the players, but individuals from the board, people who are in responsible positions," Richards insisted.

"For them to believe that this is not just about the players—it takes people from the board to identify the things that may be missing, as to why we are not there. I feel very annoyed with the fact that the West Indies team, with such a huge legacy, is not in the Champions Trophy. It hurts. It makes me feel very, very sad because we are much better than that."

His comments underscore the need for a complete overhaul of the current system, with greater investment in talent development, stronger leadership at the administrative level, and a renewed sense of pride and responsibility among players.

The West Indies, once a cricketing powerhouse, have found themselves slipping further behind emerging nations like Afghanistan. While the talent pool remains strong, bridging the gap between potential and performance has been a lingering challenge.