Lahore, January 11, 2025: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series against the West Indies, scheduled to take place in Multan from January 17 to 29. The squad sees seven changes from the team that toured South Africa earlier this year. Shan Masood will continue to lead the team, with Saud Shakeel named vice-captain. Key players from the South Africa tour such as Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Nauman Ali, and Salman Ali Agha have all been retained for the series.
In a strategic move, Pakistan has opted for a spin-heavy approach, with off-spinner Sajid Khan and left-arm spinner Nauman Ali joining leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed to bolster the spin department. The team’s decision to strengthen their spin resources indicates their focus on conditions in Multan, which traditionally favour slow bowlers.
The squad also sees the return of opening batsmen Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Huraira, who replace the injured Saim Ayub and the out-of-form Abdullah Shafique. To manage player workload, fast bowlers Amir Jamal, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza, and Naseem Shah have been rested. Khurram Shahzad has been retained, while Mohammad Ali and Kashif Ali have made their returns to the squad.
With wicketkeeper-batter Hasibullah still recovering from an injury sustained during the South Africa tour, former Pakistan Under-19 captain Rohail Nazir has been included as a backup wicketkeeper. Nazir is also the captain of Shaheen Shah Afridi’s team and brings valuable leadership experience to the squad.
The first Test match will take place at Multan Cricket Stadium from January 17-21, followed by the second Test from January 25-29. This series will be the West Indies’ first Test tour to Pakistan in 19 years, with their last visit dating back to November 2006. Their most recent Test series against Pakistan was held in the UAE in October 2016. However, the West Indies have visited Pakistan three times since 2018, including an ODI series in June 2022 and two T20I series in 2018 and 2021.
The two-Test series is expected to showcase an exciting contest between Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack and the West Indies’ formidable batting lineup.
