Former West Indies U19 captain Ackeem Auguste faced a frightening health scare over the holidays.

 The 22-year-old, who was playing in the International League T20 (ILT20) for the Mumbai Emirates Cricket team, fell seriously ill with food poisoning just before Christmas. Complications forced him to undergo emergency surgery in Abu Dhabi, where the team is based.

Auguste had been coming off a breakthrough year, including his senior debut for the West Indies on October 20, 2025, against Bangladesh.

He went on to score his maiden international half-century just 10 days later and racked up nine appearances by the end of November across ODIs and T20Is against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

His absence meant missing the Afghanistan series, a final chance to impress and push for a spot in the West Indies T20 World Cup squad under coach Daren Sammy, who also mentors him at the Saint Lucia Kings in the CPL.

Despite the scare, Auguste is in good spirits. He is now back in Saint Lucia, surrounded by family, and recovering well.