Babar Azam has been unveiled as the Pakistan team's Test captain following the ouster of Shan Masood from the leadership role. He will lead the side in the upcoming Test assignments against West Indies and England. The change in leadership was confirmed alongside Pakistan's squads for the Test series in West Indies and England. The upcoming Tests are part of the World Test Championship.
Babar's appointment also follows Pakistan's disappointing results under the captaincy of Shan Masood, including a 2-0 series defeat against Bangladesh in May. Now for the series against West Indies and England, Pakistan have included four uncapped players who have earned their maiden Test call-ups.
Left-arm spinner Ali Usman, right-handed batter Muhammad Awais Zafar, right-arm fast bowler Ubaid Shah, and wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori have been brought in. Meanwhile, there have also been high-profile omissions, with experienced pace bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali, along with veteran spinner Noman Ali, being left out of the squad.
Pakistan squad for West Indies and England Tests: Babar Azam (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah
Matches vs West Indies
1st Test - July 25-29
2nd Test - August 2-6
Matches vs England
1st Test - August 19-23
2nd Test - August 27-31
3rd Test - September 9-13