Pakistan Team management declines opening spot to Babar Azam for Test series against West Indies

Babar Azam has mad an explosive return to the test squad. The Pakistan Cricket Board announced the 15-member squad for the West Indies series, where the management has declined giving the opening spot to the former Pakistan captain.

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam made a fantastic comeback in the Test team with three half-centuries from four innings in South Africa. Two of these fifties came in the opening position as Saim Ayub injured his ankle and got ruled out of action. Despite his good performance, he has been told by the team management that he will not be opening the innings in the two-match Test series against West Indies.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the 15-member squad for the series against West Indies, which will begin January 17 at Multan Cricket Stadium. The selection committee has made seven changes to the squad that went to tour South Africa.

In the absence of Saim Ayub, Imam-Ul-Haq is going to make a comeback to the team, along with youngster Mohammad Haris who came in place of Abdullah Shafique who got dropped due to not being in form on South Africa tour. Imam last appeared was against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2023. On the other hand, youngster Haris is yet to make his Test debut.

Pacers Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza, Aamer Jamal, and Naseem Shah have been put to rest in order to manage their workload. Shaheen Afridi could also not make it to the squad as the team management want him injury-free before the tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa at home, which will be followed by ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Pakistan Test squad for West Indies series:
Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir. (wk), Sajid Khan, Salman Agha