Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has resumed Babar Azam As Test captain of the national team ahead of two important ICC World Test Championship assignments against West Indies and England. According to the ICC, Babar replaced Jean Massoud He will lead Pakistan in a two-Test series in the Caribbean before captaining England in a three-Test series later this summer. Pakistan will begin the West Indies campaign on July 25 with the second Test scheduled for early August. They will then travel to England for a three-match series starting on August 19 to continue their World Test Championship campaign. The PCB has also named four players who have not played for the national team, giving them a chance to get their Test debut. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman, batsman Mohammad Awais Zafar, fast bowler Ubed Shah and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Ghazi Guri have been selected for the upcoming tour. Saudi Shakir has also been included in the England series, although his eligibility still requires passing a fitness test before the team departs. Pakistan play two overseas assignments looking to improve their position in the World Test Championship table, where they are currently ninth. Pakistan’s line-up for the West Indies Test: Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Muhammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah. Pakistan squad for Test match in England: Babar Azam (Captain), 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. Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies begins with the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Taruba from July 25-29, followed by the second Test at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain from August 2-6. The England leg of the tour will kick off in Leeds from August 19 to 23, before teams play at Lord’s from August 27 to 31. The third and final Test will be played in Birmingham from September 9 to 13, with valuable World Test Championship points being watched throughout the series.
