The Babar Azam Test Captain era is set to begin again after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) named him as the national team’s new Test captain on Sunday. He replaces Shan Masood ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming Test tours of the West Indies and England, a decision announced during a national selection committee press conference at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The leadership change comes at an important stage of Pakistan’s red-ball campaign. With the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 underway, the team will be aiming to improve its position after a difficult start in the competition.
Babar Azam Back in Charge of Pakistan’s Test Team
Babar Azam previously led Pakistan’s Test side between 2020 and 2023. During that period, he captained the national team in 20 Test matches, recording 10 wins, six defeats and four draws.
By restoring Babar as captain, the PCB has opted for an experienced leader as Pakistan prepares for challenging overseas assignments in the Caribbean and England.
Pakistan Announce 16-Member Squad
Alongside the captaincy announcement, the PCB confirmed a 16-member squad for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies.
The selected players are:
- Aamir Jamal
- Abdullah Fazal
- Ali Usman
- Azaan Awais
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Khurram Shahzad
- Mohammad Abbas
- Mohammad Ali
- Mohammad Owais Zafar
- Ghazi Ghori
- Sajid Khan
- Salman Ali Agha
- Shan Masood
- Ubaid Shah
During the media briefing, Aaqib Javed also confirmed that Saud Shakeel is still recovering and will need additional time before returning to competitive action.
Important Series in World Test Championship
Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies carries added importance because both teams are looking to strengthen their positions in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 standings.
Pakistan heads into the series after losing its previous Test series 2-0 against Bangladesh. The result increased pressure on the team as it continues rebuilding in the longest format of the game.
The upcoming matches will provide an early opportunity for the new captain and squad to improve Pakistan’s performance in the WTC cycle.
Pakistan vs West Indies Test Schedule
The two-match Test series will be played in Trinidad and Tobago.
- 1st Test: July 25–29 — Brian Lara Cricket Academy
- 2nd Test: August 2–6 — Queen’s Park Oval
The series will mark Babar Azam’s first assignment since returning as Pakistan’s Test captain.
