Pakistan on Sunday replaced struggling Test captain Shan Masood with Babar Azam, who will begin a third term as leader on tours of the West Indies and England later this month.
Masood, aged 36, succeeded Azam in December 2023 and guided the team to 12 losses in 16 Tests. Pakistan ended last in the previous World Test Championship cycle and currently sit ninth after a 2-0 series loss in Bangladesh during May.
“Azam will be our new Test captain as we feel that Masood could not lead as desired,” said selector Aaqib Javed during a press conference announcing the squad.
“The selection committee discussed who could be the best player to lead Pakistan and Azam is the best option,” Javed added.
This marks Azam’s third period in charge after he previously stepped down in November 2023 and October 2024.
Pakistan open a two-match series against the West Indies in Tarouba on July 25, with the second Test in Port-of-Spain from August 2. They then visit England for Tests at Headingley starting August 19, Lord’s from August 27 and Edgbaston from September 9.
Fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali were dropped following the Bangladesh series defeat. Uncapped 20-year-old fast bowler Ubaid Shah earned a call-up, while Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali were also selected. Uncapped middle-order batsman Awais Zafar and left-arm spinner Ali Usman received their first inclusions.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Agha, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness for England).
