Babar Azam replaces Shan Masood as Pakistan Test captain

Islamabad, Jul 5: Former skipper Babar Azam has been named to return as captain as Pakistan revealed their Test squads for upcoming ICC World Test Championship assignments against the West Indies and England.

Babar replaces Shan Masood in the role and will lead the side for two Test in the Caribbean from July 25 and a trio of Tests in England from August 19 as part of the ongoing World Test Championship.

Four uncapped players are included in the squads, with left-arm spinner Ali Usman, right-handed batter Muhammad Awais Zafar, right-arm fast bowler Ubaid Shah and wicket-keeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori all in contention for their first Test cap.

Saud Shakeel is in the squad for the England series, subject to proving his fitness prior the series.

Pakistan currently sit in ninth place on the World Test Championship standings.

Pakistan squad for West Indies: Babar Azam (c), 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, Ubaid Shah

Pakistan squad for England: Babar Azam (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah

West Indies series schedule:

First Test: July 25-29, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba

Second Test: August 2-6, Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain

England series schedule:

First Test: August 19-23, Leeds

Second Test: August 27-31, Lord’s

Third Test: September 9-13, Birmingham