Babar Azam Returns as Pakistan’s Test Captain—Here’s Why

News Desk

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reappointed Babar Azam as captain of the national Test team for the upcoming tours of the West Indies and England.

The PCB on Sunday announced a 16-member squad led by Babar Azam. The squad includes Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Owais, Abdullah Fazal, Salman Ali Agha, Ghazi Ghauri, Mohammad Rizwan, Sajid Khan, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Obaid Shah, Owais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.

Middle-order batter Saud Shakeel has been left out of the squad due to fitness concerns.

Pakistan will begin the tour with a two-Test series against the West Indies. The opening Test is scheduled to be played from July 25 to 29.

Speaking at a press conference, PCB Director High Performance Aaqib Javed said the team’s preparations were progressing well and confirmed that Saud Shakeel was still recovering from fitness issues.

He also said that former captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed had each served on the selection committee for six months. Commenting on the team’s recent performances, Aaqib said Pakistan’s lack of bowling pace had been evident in the last Test and described Shaheen Shah Afridi as the team’s premier fast bowler.

According to reports, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi approved Babar Azam’s return as Test captain following Pakistan’s recent struggles under Shan Masood’s leadership. Reports said several names were considered before the board decided to hand the red-ball captaincy back to Babar Azam.