Pakistan’s Babar Azam performs a shot in the course of the first check in opposition to England in Rawalpindi on December 3, 2022. — ReutersFour uncapped gamers earn locations.Aamer Jamal returns to Check facet. Sajid Khan named lone specialist spinner.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday introduced Pakistan’s Check squads for the upcoming excursions of the West Indies and England, with Babar Azam returning because the workforce’s captain.
The squads had been introduced by the PCB choice committee, together with Aqib Javed, Asad Shafiq, and Misbah-ul-Haq throughout a press convention in Lahore.
A 16-member squad has been named for the two-match Check collection in opposition to the West Indies, whereas a 17-member squad has been introduced for the England tour. Saud Shakeel has been included because the seventeenth member for the England collection, topic to health clearance.
Left-arm spinner Ali Usman, right-handed batter Muhammad Awais Zafar, right-arm quick bowler Ubaid Shah and wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori are the uncapped gamers included within the squad.
All-rounder Aamer Jamal has returned to the Check squad for the primary time since that includes in opposition to South Africa in 2025, whereas the tempo assault contains Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, younger speedster Ubaid Shah and Khurram Shehzad.
Sajid Khan is the one specialist spinner within the squad, whereas Salman Ali Agha may present a backup spin possibility. The lineup doesn’t embody Noman Ali, who was additionally omitted from Pakistan’s earlier Check tour of Bangladesh.
Responding to a query on why the Check captain was modified whereas the choice committee remained intact, head coach and selector Aqib Javed stated he and Asad Shafiq had been serving on the choice committee for the previous 18 months, whereas Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed joined six months in the past.
He stated efficiency is assessed individually in all three codecs, including that captaincy additionally carries accountability. Aqib stated though Shan had carried out nicely individually, the workforce had failed to provide the specified outcomes below his management.
“We have tried to bring about a change so that the team’s results improve,” he stated.
Aqib additionally expressed concern over the tempo of Pakistan’s quick bowlers, saying it stays an space of focus.
Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who can also be a part of the choice panel, careworn that consistency is the important thing to success in cricket. He added that selectors consider whether or not a participant and captain have maintained consistency of their performances over time.
It’s pertinent to say that the two-match Check collection in opposition to the West Indies will likely be performed in Trinidad and Tobago. The primary Check is scheduled from July 25 to 29, whereas the second will happen from August 2 to six.
The opening Check will likely be performed at Headingley in Leeds from August 19, adopted by the second Check at Lord’s from August 27. The collection will conclude with the third and closing Check at Edgbaston in Birmingham, beginning on September 9.
Misbah defended Babar’s choice as Check captain, saying that the right-hander demonstratied that he stays a priceless participant throughout all three codecs.
“Babar Azam can be utilised in all formats. We need to back him with confidence and decide where he can best serve the team,” Misbah stated.
He additionally rejected recommendations that gamers omitted from the present squad had reached the top of their careers, saying the newest choice shouldn’t be interpreted as the top of anybody’s worldwide prospects.
Commenting on Pakistan’s tempo assault, Misbah stated quick bowlers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi have to play extra first-class cricket to enhance their red-ball sport, including that neither bowler has checked out his finest with the crimson ball in latest outings.
Squad
Babar Azam (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, and Ubaid Shah.
Saud Shakeel’s choice for the England tour is topic to health clearance.
