The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has re-established Babar Azam as the Test Captain of the national team ahead of two crucial ICC World Test Championship assignments against the West Indies and England. According to the ICC, Babar replaces Shan Masood at the helm and will lead Pakistan in a two-Test series in the Caribbean before captaining the side on a three-Test tour of England later this summer. Pakistan begin their 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 as they continue their World Test Championship campaign. The PCB has also named four uncapped players in the squads, giving them a chance to earn their first Test cap. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman, batsman Muhammad Awais Zafar, fast bowler Ubaid Shah and wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori have all been picked for the upcoming tours. Saud Shakeel he was also included for the England series, although his participation remains subject to clearing a fitness test before the team departs. Pakistan head into the two overseas assignments looking to improve their position in the World Test Championship standings, where they currently occupy ninth place. Pakistan Squad for West Indies Tests: 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, U Salman Ali Shaod. Pakistan Squad for England Tests: 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, Saldman to Ali Shanod, fitness Ubaid Shah. Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies begins with the opening Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba from July 25-29, followed by the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain from August 2-6. The England leg of the tour kicks off in Leeds from August 19-23, before the teams meet at Lord’s from August 27-31. The third and final Test will be played in Birmingham from September 9-13, with valuable World Test Championship points at stake throughout the series.
