Pakistan has just undergone a significant leadership shift, with Babar Azam stepping back in as the Test captain after the PCB decided to part ways with Shan Masood. This marks the start of Babar’s second term at the helm of the red-ball team. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made the announcement on Sunday, confirming that Shan Masood has been relieved of his duties as Test captain, paving the way for Babar Azam’s return. He will lead Pakistan in a two-Test series against the West Indies kicking off on July 25, followed by a three-Test series against England starting August 19, all part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship. This change comes on the heels of Pakistan’s less-than-stellar performance in Test cricket.
The Selection committee member Aaqib Javed said the team let crucial moments slip, highlighting the Centurion Test against South Africa and the home defeat against the West Indies in Multan, as he said, “We saw many close Test matches (under Shan’s captaincy). But a few things were not being addressed. Like the Centurion Test, South Africa’s two batters at No. 10 [for the tenth wicket] put on a 60-70 run partnership (51 runs). The game was in our hands. Against the West Indies in Multan, in the second Test, the team was rolled over easily.”
Selectors Explain Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah’s Surprise Test Omission
The selection committee has decided to leave out Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Hasan Ali, and Noman Ali for the upcoming Test tours. Misbah-ul-Haq, the former captain and selector, explained that this choice was driven by their current red-ball strategy, not a reflection of the players’ abilities. He mentioned that the selectors opted for players who have been consistently active in first-class cricket, while also keeping workload management in mind ahead of the challenging tours to the West Indies and England. Misbah emphasized that being omitted from one squad doesn’t spell the end of a player’s Test career and reassured that the door remains open for anyone who performs well.
He pointed out that Shaheen and Naseem were not included because they haven’t been playing enough four-day matches lately. Instead, the selectors favored bowlers who are better equipped for the longer format. Naseem, at just 22, has taken 60 wickets in 20 Tests with an economy rate of 3.70, but his last Test appearance was during Pakistan’s tour of South Africa in 2024. Noman Ali, although left out, has an impressive record of 101 wickets in just 22 Tests at an economy rate of 3.09 and is still available when conditions suit a specialist spinner.
Aaqib Javed also mentioned that Pakistan is looking for more pace for their upcoming overseas challenges after analyzing the previous Test series. He added that selections will continue to be based on conditions and team needs, and players who were left out will need to prove themselves through their performances. Pakistan is set to kick off a new era under Babar Azam with a two-Test series in the West Indies starting July 25, followed by a three-Test tour of England from August 19 to September 13.
Pakistan squad for West Indies: Babar Azam (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah
Pakistan squad for England: Babar Azam (c), 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
