Pakistan name squad for West Indies Tests

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced a 15-player squad for the two ICC World Test Championship Tests against the West Indies, scheduled to be played in Multan from 17-21 January and 25-29 January.

According to a PCB statement, the squad features seven changes from the 15-member Test team that toured South Africa. The retained players are: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, and Salman Ali Agha.

To strengthen the spin department, off-spinner Sajid Khan and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed have been recalled to partner with left-arm spinner Noman Ali. Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Huraira have also been brought back, replacing the injured Saim Ayub and the out-of-form Abdullah Shafique.

As part of workload management, the pace quartet of Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza, and Naseem Shah has been rested. In their place, the selectors have retained Khurram Shahzad, recalled Mohammad Ali and included uncapped Kashif Ali.

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In the absence of wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah, who sustained a split in his right-hand webbing during the Cape Town Test, former Pakistan U19 and Shaheens captain Rohail Nazir has been added to the squad.

Pakistan squad: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper/batter), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper/batter), Sajid Khan, and Salman Ali Agha.

Earlier on Saturday, the Pakistan Under-19 (U-19) Women’s cricket team officially departed for Malaysia via Dubai as they prepare to compete in the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

The team is set to arrive in Malaysia on Saturday afternoon, where they will participate in the tournament scheduled from January 18 till February 2.

The tournament marks a huge milestone for the women’s cricket in the country. The Pakistan team will be captained by wicket keeper-batter, Komal Khan.

The captain expressed her excitement and confidence in the team’s preparations. Under her captaincy, the U-19 squad aims to perform well in the world cup.

Pakistan has been placed in Group B along England, Ireland, and the United States. The group stage matches will be critical for the team’s progression in the tournament.

Pakistan’s first match is scheduled against the US on January 18, followed by a more challenging encounter against England on January 20.

The team will conclude their group stage matches with a game against Ireland on January 22.