Pakistan team has announced a 15-member squad for their upcoming home Test series against West Indies.
The side has made 7 changes in the squad although some were forced.
The forthcoming Test series versus West Indies will be the last series of the Pakistan team in the ongoing World Test Championship.
About the squad, Pakistan has recalled Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Huraria in the Test squad since Saim Ayub was injured during the Test series against South Africa.
The opening batsman picked up the injury in the second Test match which ruled him out from competitive cricket for almost six months.
Similarly, Haseebullah sustained a split webbing injury to his right hand during a practice session in South Africa.
So, uncapped Rohail Nazir has also been added in the squad as his replacement
“In the absence of wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah, former Pakistan U19 and Shaheens captain Rohail Nazir has been added to the squad”
Therefore, Imam and Huraria will be replacing these two players whose exclusion was forced.
Imam last played for Pakistan in the boxing day Test 2023 although he was on song in the latest edition of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy having scored 3 centuries in 5 games.
Huraira is yet to make his Test debut for Pakistan.
Talking about the exclusion, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Aamer Jamal, and Mir Hamza have been rested for the home series.
“As part of workload management, the pace quartet of Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza, and Naseem Shah has been rested,” the PCB said in a media release.
Abbas was the most successful bowler for Pakistan against South Africa.
Mohammad Ali has been recalled who missed out on the series against South Africa. while the uncapped Kashif Ali has also been included. Spinner Sajid Khan also returns after missing the South Africa tour.
But the main exclusion was Shaheen Shah Afridi. The left-arm pacer is currently featuring in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
He missed out on the South African Test series as according to the selectors it was because of his workload management.
The pacer was rested for the last two Tests against England in 2024 as well.
In their latest assignment, Pakistan was whitewashed by the South African side, a side who will be playing their first ever WTC final in June.
Pakistan will have to work in an all-department in order to seal the series against the West Indies.
The two-match Test series will begin from 17th January in Multan.
Pakistan Test squad for West Indies series
Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel (vice-capt), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wk), Sajid Khan, Salman Agha
West Indies Test squad for Pakistan series
Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Joshua Da Silva (vice-capt), Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Amir Jangoo, Mikyle Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair, Jomel Warrican.
