Babar Azam Returns as Pakistan Test Captain for Major Tours

LAHORE: Babar Azam has been handed Pakistan’s Test leadership for the upcoming red-ball assignments against the West Indies and England, marking a major captaincy decision by the national selectors. The announcement was made on Sunday as Pakistan prepare for two important overseas series in the ICC World Test Championship cycle.

The Pakistan Men’s National Selection Committee named Babar as captain while unveiling separate squads for the West Indies and England tours. A 16-member squad has been selected for the Caribbean assignment, while a 17-member squad has been finalised for the England series, giving the team management a broader pool for the longer and more demanding leg.

The decision was announced during a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with the Pakistan Cricket Board also issuing the squad details through an official release. Pakistan are scheduled to play two Tests against the West Indies from July 25 to August 6 before travelling to England for a three-match Test series from August 19 to September 13.

According to the PCB’s squad announcement, several fresh names have been included as selectors attempt to balance experience with emerging talent. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman, batter Muhammad Awais Zafar, fast bowler Ubaid Shah and wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori have been listed as uncapped players, underlining Pakistan’s effort to widen its red-ball options.

For the West Indies series, the squad includes Babar Azam as captain alongside Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah. The England squad has the same core, with Saud Shakeel added subject to fitness clearance.

Babar’s return to a leadership role comes after a period of debate within Pakistan cricket over the future direction of the Test side. Earlier reports had indicated that some decision-makers were reluctant to restore him to the captaincy or place red-ball leadership duties on T20 skipper Salman Ali Agha, making Sunday’s announcement a significant shift in the selectors’ approach.

The batter’s recent form and profile remain central to the conversation around Pakistan’s Test rebuild. After facing criticism during Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign, including being moved down the order in one group match, Babar answered with a powerful Pakistan Super League century in April, reminding selectors and supporters of his match-winning ability.

The leadership change carries wider importance because Pakistan’s Test performances have remained under close scrutiny. With overseas series in the Caribbean and England ahead, the team will need stability, disciplined batting and a more consistent bowling plan if it wants to improve its standing in the World Test Championship and restore public confidence in red-ball cricket.

The next test for Babar will be converting the captaincy announcement into results on difficult tours. Pakistan’s selectors have now placed trust in a blend of senior players, returning names and uncapped prospects, but the real judgment will begin once the side steps onto the field against the West Indies later this month.