Babar Azam returns as Pakistan Test captain for West Indies, England tours
Synopsis
Babar Azam is back at the helm of Pakistan's Test side — for the third time in under two years. Named captain for tours of the West Indies and England, his return comes alongside four uncapped debutants, signalling both continuity at the top and a generational reset in the ranks.
Key Takeaways
Babar Azam has been reinstated as Pakistan Test captain , announced at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on 5 July .
Pakistan face a 2-Test series vs West Indies ( 25 July – 6 August ) and a 3-Test series in England ( 19 August – 13 September ).
A 16-member squad was named for the West Indies tour; a 17-member squad for England, with Saud Shakeel included subject to fitness.
Four uncapped players — Ali Usman , Muhammad Awais Zafar , Ubaid Shah , and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori — received maiden call-ups.
Babar had originally resigned from all-format captaincy in November 2023 after Pakistan's ICC World Cup group-stage exit , and stepped down from white-ball leadership again in October 2024 .
Babar Azam has been reinstated as Pakistan's Test captain, with the Pakistan Men's National Selection Committee naming him to lead the side in back-to-back overseas series against the West Indies and England. The squads were unveiled at a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday, 5 July, marking the 31-year-old's latest return to leadership after a turbulent captaincy history.
The Squads and Key Inclusions
A 16-member squad has been selected for the two-Test West Indies series, scheduled from 25 July to 6 August, while a 17-member group has been named for the three-Test England series, running from 19 August to 13 September. Saud Shakeel has been included in the England squad subject to fitness.
Four uncapped players have earned maiden call-ups, signalling a push to refresh Pakistan's Test pipeline. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman, right-handed batter Muhammad Awais Zafar, right-arm pacer Ubaid Shah, and wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori have all been named across the two squads.
Babar's Captaincy Timeline
Babar's return completes a remarkable, if complicated, leadership arc. He first resigned as captain across all three formats in November 2023 following Pakistan's group-stage exit from the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India. He was subsequently reinstated as ODI and T20I captain in March 2024, but stepped down from white-ball leadership again in October 2024 — ending that second stint after just six months. His latest appointment returns him exclusively to the Test format.
Tour Schedules
The West Indies series features two Tests: the first at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba from 25–29 July, and the second at the Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain from 2–6 August. The England series spans three Tests: Leeds (19–23 August), Lord's (27–31 August), and Birmingham (9–13 September).
Full Squads
West Indies tour squad: Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah.
England tour squad: Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah.
Pakistan now face two demanding overseas assignments, with the West Indies and England series set to test both the revamped leadership and the fresh talent entering the Test fold for the first time.
Point of View
Given that both previous stints ended in resignation under pressure? The inclusion of four uncapped players alongside him suggests the committee is trying to thread a needle — continuity of leadership with renewal in the ranks — but that combination has rarely produced cohesion in Pakistan's historically volatile Test environment. The England tour, in particular, will be the real verdict: Pakistan's record in English conditions over the past decade is poor, and a series loss there could quickly reopen the captaincy debate that never fully closed.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Babar Azam been reappointed as Pakistan's Test captain?
The Pakistan Men's National Selection Committee named Babar Azam Test captain for the upcoming tours of the West Indies and England, announced on 5 July in Lahore. The selectors have not publicly detailed their specific rationale, but the appointment marks his return to Test leadership after stepping away from all captaincy roles between late 2023 and 2024.
When did Babar Azam previously step down as Pakistan captain?
Babar first resigned from the captaincy across all formats in November 2023 following Pakistan's group-stage exit from the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. He was reinstated as ODI and T20I captain in March 2024 but stepped down again from white-ball leadership in October 2024 after just six months.
Who are the uncapped players in Pakistan's Test squads?
Four uncapped players have been named: left-arm spinner Ali Usman, right-handed batter Muhammad Awais Zafar, right-arm pacer Ubaid Shah, and wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori. They are part of Pakistan's effort to inject fresh talent into the Test setup.
What is the schedule for Pakistan's West Indies and England Test series?
The West Indies series comprises two Tests: 25–29 July at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, and 2–6 August at Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain. The England series features three Tests: 19–23 August at Leeds, 27–31 August at Lord's, and 9–13 September at Birmingham.
Is Saud Shakeel part of the Pakistan squad for the England tour?
Yes, Saud Shakeel has been included in Pakistan's 17-member squad for the England series, but his participation is subject to fitness clearance. He was not named in the 16-member squad for the preceding West Indies tour.
