Multan, January 16, 2025: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the Playing XI for the first Test of the two-match series against the West Indies, set to begin tomorrow at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Promising young batter Mohammad Huraira is poised to make his Test debut, stepping in for Saim Ayub, who sustained a fractured ankle during the opening day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa earlier this month.
Huraira will open the innings alongside captain Shan Masood, while Babar Azam will return to his preferred number three position after opening in the Cape Town Test. The middle order will feature Kamran Ghulam, vice-captain Saud Shakeel, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, and all-rounder Salman Ali Agha.
Pakistan’s team management has opted for a spin-dominant bowling attack for the series opener. Khurram Shahzad is the lone pacer in the lineup, supported by a trio of spinners: Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed. Sajid and Noman, instrumental in Pakistan’s 2-1 home series victory over England, will aim to replicate their success against the West Indies.
Pakistan’s Playing XI for the First Test:
- Shan Masood (c)
- Mohammad Huraira
- Babar Azam
- Kamran Ghulam
- Saud Shakeel (vc)
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Salman Ali Agha
- Sajid Khan
- Noman Ali
- Abrar Ahmed
- Khurram Shahzad
