Lahore, 5 July 2026:
Pakistan has turned back to Babar Azam to lead its men’s Test side, with selectors backing the former all-format captain to guide the team through five Tests against West Indies and England.
Babar was named captain Sunday as Pakistan announced its squads for the two-Test series in the Caribbean and the three-Test tour of England.
The decision comes after Pakistan’s recent struggles in red-ball cricket, with selectors saying leadership, consistency and execution were key factors behind the change.
“We looked at Pakistan’s recent Test performances and felt there were areas that needed to be addressed,” Aqib Javed said. “In Test cricket, the captain has important responsibilities, including managing the over-rate, making decisions on DRS, taking calls at the toss and finishing matches in pressure situations. The desired results were not coming, so the selectors felt Babar Azam was the right option to lead the Test side.”
Misbah-ul-Haq said consistency in selection and performance would be important for Pakistan going forward.
“Consistency is very important in cricket and in life,” Misbah said. “Results come through consistent decisions, but they also depend on consistent performances. Whether it is captaincy or selection, you have to look at how a player is performing both individually and as a leader.”
Misbah said Pakistan did not want frequent changes but performances had forced the selectors to act.
“No board or selection committee wants to make changes again and again, but sometimes performances force you to make those changes,” Misbah said. “When you are the captain, you have to take responsibility for the team’s performances. Hopefully, Babar Azam will perform himself and also help the team improve.”
Aqib said the selection committee discussed the captaincy in detail before recommending Babar.
“We discussed the Test captaincy in detail within the selection committee,” Aqib said. “There was only one recommendation from the selectors and that was Babar Azam.”
Pakistan named a 16-player squad for the West Indies series, with Babar leading a group that includes Aamir Jamal, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood, Sajid Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad and Ubaid Shah.
Saud Shakeel has been included in the 17-member squad for the England series, subject to fitness.
Aqib said the omission of some senior fast bowlers did not mean the end of their Test careers.
“No selector can decide the end of any player’s career,” Aqib said. “Selection is done tour by tour and this squad is for the West Indies and England series. Shaheen Shah Afridi is a quality bowler, but at times you have to see the format, conditions, workload and the focus required from a player. The door is not closed for anyone.”
He added that players outside the squad could still return through first-class performances.
“One team announcement does not end anyone’s career,” Aqib said. “Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Noman Ali remain in our plans. Naseem will have opportunities in the coming season to play, prove himself and make a case for selection.”
Pakistan will play West Indies in Tarouba from July 25-29 and in Port of Spain from Aug. 2-6. The England Tests will be played in Leeds from Aug. 19-23, at Lord’s from Aug. 27-31 and in Birmingham from Sept. 9-13.
Misbah said Babar remained valuable across formats and needed backing to deliver as a senior player and captain.
“Babar has proved himself in ODI cricket and Test cricket and his T20 performance is also in front of everyone,” Misbah said. “Going forward, he remains a useful player across formats. Technically, he is one of the best players and consistency-wise he has also been among the best.”
“With Babar returning as Test captain, his success will depend on two things: how the team performs and how he leads,” Misbah said. “The aim should be to give him a proper chance and allow him to lead the side with continuity.”
