The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reinstated Babar Azam as the national team’s Test captain ahead of two crucial ICC World Test Championship assignments against the West Indies and England. According to the ICC, Babar replaces Shan Masood at the helm and will lead Pakistan in a two-Test series in the Caribbean before captaining the side in a three-Test tour of England later this summer. Pakistan begin their West Indies campaign on July 25, with the second Test scheduled for early August. They will then travel to England for a three-match series starting on August 19 as they continue their World Test Championship campaign. The PCB has also named four uncapped players in the squads, giving them an opportunity to earn their maiden Test caps. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman, batter Muhammad Awais Zafar, fast bowler Ubaid Shah and wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori have all been selected for the upcoming tours. Saud Shakeel has also been included for the England series, although his participation remains subject to clearing a fitness test before the team departs. Pakistan head into the two overseas assignments looking to improve their position in the World Test Championship standings, where they currently occupy ninth place. Pakistan squad for West Indies Tests: Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah. Pakistan squad for England Tests: Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah. Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies begins with the opening Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba from July 25 to 29, followed by the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain from August 2 to 6. The England leg of the tour starts in Leeds from August 19 to 23, before the teams meet at Lord’s from August 27 to 31. The third and final Test will be played in Birmingham from September 9 to 13, with valuable World Test Championship points at stake throughout the series.
