Pakistan Announces Test Squad Against West Indies with 7 Changes

Pakistan has announced its Test squad for the red-ball series against the West Indies, featuring seven changes. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed the 15-member squad in a press release on Saturday. Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed make their return to the team, while Shaheen Shah Afridi remains absent. Kashif Ali has received his maiden national team call-up.

Recently, Pakistan faced a 2-0 whitewash in the Test series against South Africa. To recover from that disappointment, Pakistan will take on the West Indies in a two-match Test series starting January 17 in Multan.

Seven players from the squad that faced South Africa have been excluded. Opener Imam-ul-Haq returns to the side, alongside Mohammad Huraira. In the spin department, Sajid Khan and Abrar Ahmed have been recalled. Mohammad Ali has also earned a spot, while former Pakistan U19 captain Rohail Nazir joins the squad.

Saim Ayub was ruled out earlier due to injury, and Abdullah Shafique has been dropped due to poor form. Additionally, four pacers—Amir Jamal, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza, and Naseem Shah—are not part of the series against the West Indies.

Pakistan Test 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)
Nauman Ali
Rohail Nazir (Wicketkeeper/Batter)
Sajid Khan
Salman Ali Agha

The series is expected to be an opportunity for Pakistan to regain momentum in Test cricket following their recent struggles.