Pakistan announced their squad for the two-Test home series against West Indies. Left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi was conspicuous by his continued absence, even as seven changes were made from the South Africa tour. Read more here.
On Saturday (January 11), the PCB announced the squad via a press release, for the series which is set to begin on January 17 with both Tests in Multan.
Pakistan's most recent engagement was a two-Test series in South Africa, which they lost 2-0. Their last home series came in October 2024, where they were beaten by England in the first Test before a change in their selection committee prompted an overhaul of tactics to help them win the series 2-1.
Shaheen Afridi remains out of Pakistan Test setup
There have been seven changes from the squad for the South Africa Tests – a few forced. The biggest news remains the exclusion of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was rested for the last two Tests against England before being left out of the squad entirely for the South Africa tour.
Shaheen was also granted a no-objection certificate (NOC) by the PCB to play in the Bangladesh Premier League until January 15, two days before the start of this series – suggesting he may not have been in the selectors' thoughts at all.
Four pace bowlers – Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza and Naseem Shah – have all been rested as part of workload management. Mohammad Ali has been recalled after missing the South Africa Tests, while the uncapped Kashif Ali has also been included. Spinner Sajid Khan also returns after missing the South Africa tour.
Shaheen Afridi was not selected for the South Africa Test tour, with the PCB citing "workload management" as the reason for his absence.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 24, 2024
He has, however, been given NOC to play in the Bangladesh Premier League, beginning December 30.
READ: https://t.co/tQIoEk8gew pic.twitter.com/aJ5gcDpM6Q
Ayub injured, Shafique dropped: Imam & Huraira come in
Opener Saim Ayub was injured during the New Year's Test in Cape Town, and backup wicketkeeper Haseebullah sustained a split webbing injury to his right hand during a practice session in South Africa. They have been replaced by Imam-ul-Haq, who last played a Test on Boxing Day in 2023, and the uncapped Rohail Nazir respectively.
Abdullah Shafique has also been dropped for being "out-of-form". His place has been taken by Mohammad Huraira.
Pakistan squad for two-Test series against West Indies
Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), 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 Ali Agha.
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