Babar completes a remarkable leadership circle, returning as Pakistan’s Test captain after three years.
Lahore
Pakistan have reinstated Babar Azam as their Test captain, bringing an end to nearly three years of leadership uncertainty as the team prepares for challenging away series against the West Indies and England.
The Pakistan Men’s National Selection Committee announced the squads at Gaddafi Stadium, confirming Babar’s return to the helm for the two-Test series in the West Indies beginning on July 25 and the subsequent three-Test tour of England starting on August 19.
The appointment marks a full-circle moment for Babar, who last captained Pakistan in a Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo in July 2023. Pakistan won that match by an innings and 222 runs, and if Babar leads the side in the opening Test against the West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, it will end a gap of 1,094 days since his previous Test as captain.
Babar had stepped down as captain across all formats following Pakistan’s disappointing campaign at the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they failed to reach the semifinals. Shan Masood was subsequently appointed Test captain, but Pakistan struggled to establish consistency in the longest format.
Under Shan’s leadership, Pakistan endured a difficult tour of Australia and failed to build momentum in subsequent assignments. Frequent changes in team combinations, inconsistent performances and mounting pressure on senior players prompted the selectors to rethink the team’s leadership before two demanding overseas tours.
Despite losing the captaincy, Shan Masood has retained his place in the squad as a specialist batter, while Babar resumes responsibility for guiding Pakistan’s red-ball fortunes.
Babar’s own journey has been eventful. He returned as Pakistan’s white-ball captain in 2024 before stepping down again later that year to focus on his batting. His reinstatement as Test captain reflects the selectors’ belief in his leadership and experience during a crucial phase for the team.
Pakistan have named a 16-member squad for the West Indies series, with uncapped players Ali Usman, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Ubaid Shah and wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori earning opportunities alongside experienced campaigners Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Abbas, Sajid Khan and Salman Ali Agha.
For the England series, Saud Shakeel has been added to a 17-member squad, subject to fitness, while the rest of the group remains unchanged.
Pakistan will begin the West Indies series in Tarouba before playing the second Test in Port of Spain. They will then travel to England for matches at Leeds, Lord’s and Birmingham, where Babar’s second stint as Test captain will face its toughest examination yet.
