Pakistan name squad for West Indies Tests

ISLAMABAD: Wicket-keeper batsman Rohail Nazir and pacer Kashif Ali receive their maiden Test calls as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selectors decided to drop out-of-form Abdullah Shafique for the ICC World Test Championship series against West Indies starting with the opening match on January 17 at Multan.

Rohail Nazir thanked selectors and the PCB for making him part of the Test squad.

“This is my maiden Test call. I have been part of the junior string, Emerging, Shaheens, and A team. This is the first time that I have been made part of the Test squad. I am thankful to selectors and the PCB for that,” Rohail said while talking to The News.

Fast bowler Kashif Ali, one of the leading wicket-takers at the domestic level, was also included in the 15-member Test squad for the two-match series.

Abdullah Shafique who had a terrible series in South Africa was dropped while all-rounder Aamir Jamal was rested for the series against West Indies.

Selectors also recalled opener Imamul Haq following a gap of more than a year. He last represented the country against Australia at Melbourne Test in December 2023.

With Saim Ayub out of the series with an ankle injury, a new opening pair is expected to take the first against the tourists. Mohammad Huraira may well be seen making his Test debut following his encouraging outing against West Indies in a warm-up match at the Islamabad Club Ground.

The squad features seven changes from the 15-member Test team that toured South Africa.

The retained players are: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali and Salman Ali Agha.

To strengthen the spin department, off-spinner Sajid Khan and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed have been recalled to partner with left-arm spinner Noman Ali.

As part of workload management, the selectors also rested Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza, and Naseem Shah. The selectors have retained Khurram Shahzad and also recalled Mohammad Ali.

Both Test matches of the series will be played in Multan from 17-21 January and 25-29 January.

Pakistan squad for the West Indies Tests:

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), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper/batter), Sajid Khan, and Salman Ali Agha.