Pakistan restore Babar Azam as Test captain for West Indies, England tours; name four uncapped players
By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Pakistan have recalled Babar Azam as Test captain for the upcoming tours of the West Indies and England, with the national selection committee on Sunday naming squads that include four uncapped players as part of a blend of experience and youth.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 16-member squad for the two-Test series in the West Indies and a 17-member squad for the subsequent three-Test series in England, with Saud Shakeel included for the England leg subject to fitness.
Pakistan will face the West Indies in Tests at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba from July 25-29 and at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain from Aug. 2-6 before travelling to England for matches at Leeds, Lord’s and Birmingham between Aug. 19 and Sept. 13.
Babar’s appointment marks his return to the Test captaincy as Pakistan look to rebuild in the longest format following a period of transition. The experienced top-order batter will lead a squad featuring senior players Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Abbas, Salman Ali Agha and Aamir Jamal.
The selectors also rewarded domestic performers by handing maiden Test call-ups to left-arm spinner Ali Usman, right-handed batter Muhammad Awais Zafar, fast bowler Ubaid Shah and wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.
Saud Shakeel, one of Pakistan’s most consistent middle-order batters in recent years, was named only in the England squad and will join the tour if he is declared fit.
The West Indies squad comprises Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.
The England squad retains the same core group, with Saud Shakeel added as the 17th player, subject to fitness.
Pakistan will open the West Indies series at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba from July 25-29 before the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain from Aug. 2-6.
The England series begins at Headingley in Leeds from Aug. 19-23, followed by the second Test at Lord’s from Aug. 27-31 and the final Test in Birmingham from Sept. 9-13.
The back-to-back overseas assignments will provide Pakistan with a significant challenge as they seek improved performances away from home against two contrasting opponents in Caribbean and English conditions.
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
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