Babar Azam officially returns as Pakistan Test captain in major PCB shake-up

By Samira Vishwas On Jul 5, 2026

Babar Azam has once again become the centre of attention after being officially reappointed as the skipper of Pakistan’s Test team, delighting fans ahead of the ICC World Test Championship series.

On Sunday, July 5, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced its squads for the forthcoming West Indies and England series and confirmed the 31-year-old’s return as Test captain, with Shan Masood stepping down after two and a half years, according to the ICC.

Azam is set to start his new era as captain in the two-Test series against the West Indies on July 25, followed by a three-Test tour of England beginning August 19.

The squads feature four uncapped players who could make their Test debuts: left-arm spinner Ali Usman, batter Muhammad Awais Zafar, fast bowler Ubaid Shah, and wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.

Meanwhile, Saud Shakeel has been included in the squad for the England tour, with his participation subject to passing a fitness assessment before the series starts.

It is important to note that, as of now, Pakistan are placed ninth in the ICC World Test Championship table.

Pakistan Squad for the 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, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah.

Pakistan Squad for the England Tests

West Indies Test series schedule

First Test: July 25–29 – Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba

Second Test: August 2–6 – Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain

England Test series schedule

First Test: August 19–23 – Headingley, Leeds

Second Test: August 27–31 – Lord’s, London

Third Test: September 9–13 – Edgbaston, Birmingham