Pakistan Test squad assembles in Islamabad ahead of West Indies tour
Babar Azam-led squad to fine-tune preparations from Thursday ahead of July 13 West Indies departure
LAHORE: Pakistan's Test squad will assemble in Islamabad on Wednesday ahead of the team's upcoming tour of the West Indies, which gets under way later this month.
The players will begin their training camp on Wednesday as preparations commence for the two-match Test series, which forms part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the Test squad, led by newly appointed captain Babar Azam, on Sunday, with the team scheduled to depart for the West Indies on July 13.
The 31-year-old previously captained Pakistan in 20 Tests during his first stint from 2020 to 2023 and now replaces experienced top-order batter Shan Masood.
Masood's tenure lasted 16 Tests, during which Pakistan registered four victories and suffered 12 defeats, finishing with a win percentage of 25.
It is pertinent to mention that the upcoming series marks Pakistan's first red-ball tour of the Caribbean since 2021, when they played a two-match Test series against the West Indies that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Meanwhile, before the start of the Test series, Pakistan will play a four-day practice match beginning on July 18 to fine-tune their preparations.
The two-match Test series against the West Indies will be played in Trinidad and Tobago. The opening Test is scheduled from July 25 to 29, while the second will take place from August 2 to 6.
Following the Caribbean tour, Pakistan will travel to England for a three-match Test series.
The opening Test will be held at Headingley in Leeds from August 19 to 23, followed by the second at Lord's from August 27 to 31. The series will conclude with the third and final Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham from September 9 to 13.
Pakistan squad for West Indies Test series:
Babar Azam (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.
Schedule for Pakistan-West Indies Test series:
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