Lahore, 5 July 2026:
Babar Azam has been named Pakistan men’s Test captain for the five-match assignment against West Indies and England, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced Sunday. Babar replaces Shan Masood, who captained the side in 16 Test matches, winning four and losing 12 matches.
Pakistan will play two Tests against West Indies in the Caribbean in July and August before travelling to England for a three-Test series in August and September.
The selectors named a 16-member squad for the West Indies series, while Saud Shakeel has been added to the squad for the England tour subject to fitness.
“Pakistan have two important Test assignments ahead – a two-match series in the West Indies and a three-match series in England,” Aqib Javed said. “Babar Azam has been appointed as Pakistan’s Test captain, while the selectors have named a 16-member squad for the West Indies series.”
Aqib said Saud needed more time before returning to the Test side.
“Saud Shakeel will require some more time to regain full fitness and form,” Aqib said. “Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq have worked closely with him, and the selectors are hopeful that he will be available for selection when the team travels to England.”
Pakistan’s 16-member squad for the West Indies series is: Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.
The 17-member squad for the England series is: Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.
Pakistan will open the West Indies series with the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba from July 25-29. The second Test will be played at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain from Aug. 2-6.
The England series will begin in Leeds from Aug. 19-23. The second Test will be played at Lord’s from Aug. 27-31, while the third Test will be staged in Birmingham from Sept. 9-13.
Aqib said the squad had been selected after assessing conditions and recent red-ball performances.
“We have picked the squad according to the conditions and requirements,” Aqib said. “These selections have been made on evidence, not desire, and we used speed guns to monitor who was bowling at what pace and with what consistency.”
He said the selectors were confident the preparation camp would help Pakistan improve.
“The preparation of this squad has been good,” Aqib said. “The High-Performance Centre has been revived and around the world, players work on their skills during the off-season. We are confident this preparation will help the team perform better.”
