Babar Azam Reappointed Pakistan Test Captain Ahead of West Indies and England Tours

Babar Azam has been reappointed as Pakistan’s Test captain for the upcoming tours of the West Indies and England, replacing Shan Masood after a disappointing run in charge.

The Pakistan Cricket Board announced the leadership change on Sunday alongside the squads for the two overseas Test series, marking Babar’s return to the role he previously held before Masood’s appointment.

Shan Masood pays the price for poor Test record

Masood’s tenure comes to an end after winning just four of his 16 Tests as captain, with Pakistan losing 12 matches under his leadership.

The recent 2-0 home whitewash against Bangladesh is understood to have played a major role in the decision. Pakistan also suffered series whitewashes away to Australia and South Africa during Masood’s stint as skipper.

Despite retaining his place in the squad as a batter, Masood has been stripped of the captaincy ahead of a crucial period in Pakistan’s Test calendar.

Babar Azam handed second stint as Test captain

Babar takes over despite enduring a lean run with the bat in Test cricket in recent times.

The former all-format captain will now lead Pakistan in a two-Test series against the West Indies before taking charge in a three-Test tour of England later this summer.

Four uncapped players earn call-ups

Pakistan have named four uncapped players across the two tours:

• Ali Usman (left-arm spinner)
• Mohammad Awais Zafar (batter)
• Ubaid Shah (fast bowler)
• Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper-batter)

Saud Shakeel has not been included in the initial squad for the West Indies series but is expected to join the England tour, subject to fitness.

Pakistan Test squad

Squad for West Indies and England tours:

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

Saud Shakeel will be added to the England squad subject to fitness.

Pakistan’s Test schedule

Pakistan begin their World Test Championship campaign with a two-match series in the Caribbean.

• 1st Test:July 25-29 – Tarouba
• 2nd Test:August 2-6 – Port of Spain

The team will then travel to England for a three-Test series:

• 1st Test: Leeds
• 2nd Test:Lord’s
• 3rd Test: Birmingham

The England series is scheduled to run from August 19 to September 13, with Babar Azam now tasked with reviving Pakistan’s fortunes in the longest format after a difficult period under Shan Masood.