Babar Azam named Pakistan Test captain for West Indies, England tours

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced Babar Azam as captain of the national Test squads for the upcoming tours of the West Indies and England.

The announcement was made by the Pakistan Men’s National Selection Committee during a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with separate squads named for both series.

Pakistan will tour the West Indies for a two-match Test series from July 25 to August 6 before travelling to England for a three-match Test series scheduled from August 19 to September 13.

A 16-member squad has been selected for the West Indies tour, while a 17-member squad has been named for the England series.

The PCB also included four uncapped players in the squads: left-arm spinner Ali Usman, batter Muhammad Awais Zafar, fast bowler Ubaid Shah and wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.

The England squad includes Saud Shakeel, whose selection is subject to fitness.

The announcement follows speculation over Pakistan's Test leadership, with reports suggesting that several decision-makers had opposed reinstating Babar Azam as captain.

Babar was moved down the batting order during Pakistan's final group-stage match of the T20 World Cup against Namibia in February. However, he returned to form in April, scoring a 52-ball century for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League against Quetta Gladiators.

The PCB said the selected squads will prepare for the two overseas Test assignments later this month.