Babar Azam named Pakistan Test captain for West Indies, England tours

ISLAMABAD: (Staff Reporter) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 16-member national squad for the upcoming tour of the West Indies and the United Kingdom, with Babar Azam appointed as captain for the series.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the squad was unveiled during a press conference held in Lahore by members of the PCB selection committee on Sunday.

The selected players include Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Owais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Owais Zafar, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.

The selection committee also stated that Saud Shakeel would join the squad during the England leg of the tour if he regains full fitness.

Pakistan will begin the tour with a Test series against the West Indies. The opening Test between the two sides is scheduled to be played in Tarouba from 25 to 29 July.

Speaking at a press conference, Aqib Javed, the Director of High-Performance for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and a senior member of the men’s National Selection Committee, expressed confidence in the team’s prospects.

He told the media that he believed Pakistan would deliver strong performances during the tours of the West Indies and England.

Aqib Javed also noted that Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed had been members of the selection committee for less than six months, while he and fellow selector Asad had served in their roles for around one and a half years.

Aqib Javed said the decision to change the national team’s leadership was driven by results, despite acknowledging the strong individual performances of former captain Shan Masood.

He said Shan Masood had performed well personally, but the team’s overall results had fallen short of expectations.

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He noted that a captain also bears responsibility for the performance of the side and that the desired outcomes had not been achieved under Shan’s leadership.

Aqib Javed added that the pace of Pakistan’s fast bowlers had become a matter of concern for the management and selectors.

He stressed the need to address the issue as the team prepares for important overseas tours and upcoming international competitions.

The selection chief expressed hope that the recent changes would help strengthen the side and enable Pakistan to perform more consistently at the highest level.

According to the PCB press release, Pakistan’s Men’s National Selection Committee has announced Test squads for the tours of the West Indies and England during a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday.

Babar Azam has been named captain for both series. Pakistan will play a two-match Test series against the West Indies from 25 July to 6 August, followed by a three-match Test series in England from 19 August to 13 September.

A 16-member squad has been named for the West Indies series, while a 17-member squad has been announced for the England series. Saud Shakeel has been included as the 17th member for the England series, subject to fitness.

Left-arm spinner Ali Usman, right-handed batter Muhammad Awais Zafar, right-arm fast bowler Ubaid Shah and wicket-keeper batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori are the uncapped players in the squad.

16-member squad (in alphabetical order) for West Indies series:

Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah

17-member squad (in alphabetical order) for England series:

Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah

Schedule for West Indies series:

25-29 July – First Test, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba
2-6 August – Second Test, Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Port of Spain

Schedule for England series:

19-23 August – First Test, Leeds
27-31 August – Second Test, Lord’s
9-13 September – Third Test, Birmingham