PCB Announces Squads for Two Major Test Series
The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced Pakistan’s Test squads for the upcoming tours of the West Indies and England, with Babar Azam returning as captain.
The squads were revealed by the PCB selection committee during a press conference in Lahore. The committee included Aqib Javed, Asad Shafiq, and Misbah-ul-Haq.
A 16-member squad has been named for the two-match Test series against the West Indies. A 17-member squad has been announced for the England tour.
Saud Shakeel has been included as the additional player for the England series. However, his selection is subject to fitness clearance.
Shaheen Shah Afridi has not been included in the squad. Naseem Shah has also been left out, with selectors stressing the need for more red-ball cricket.
New Faces Included in Pakistan Test Squad
The squad includes several uncapped players.
Left-arm spinner Ali Usman, batter Muhammad Awais Zafar, fast bowler Ubaid Shah, and wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori have been selected.
All-rounder Aamer Jamal has also returned to the Test squad. This is his first Test selection since the South Africa series in 2025.
Pakistan’s pace attack includes Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shehzad, and Ubaid Shah.
Sajid Khan is the only specialist spinner in the squad. Salman Ali Agha may provide an additional spin option if required.
Noman Ali has not been selected. He was also left out of Pakistan’s previous Test tour of Bangladesh.
Selectors Back Babar Azam for Leadership Role
Aqib Javed said performances are reviewed separately in all three formats. He added that captaincy also carries responsibility for team results.
He said Shan Masood had performed well as an individual. However, the team did not deliver the expected results under his leadership.
Aqib said the captaincy change was made to improve Pakistan’s Test results.
Misbah-ul-Haq defended Babar Azam’s appointment as Test captain. He said Babar remains a valuable player across all formats.
Misbah added that Pakistan need to back Babar with confidence and use him where he can best serve the team.
He also said players left out of the squad should not be considered finished. Their future selection will depend on form, fitness, and performance.
Pakistan will play two Tests against the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. The first Test will be played from July 25 to 29. The second Test will be held from August 2 to 6.
Pakistan will then travel to England for a three-match Test series. The first Test will be played at Headingley from August 19. The second Test will begin at Lord’s on August 27. The final Test will start at Edgbaston on September 9.
Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, and Ubaid Shah.
