Related Articles
Pakistan’s cricket team is set to regroup after a challenging Test series against South Africa, where they faced defeat at Centurion and Cape Town. The series has been marked by disappointing performances and injury setbacks, including the loss of opener Saim Ayub to a six-week injury.
With the West Indies series scheduled to begin on January 16, here’s a look at Pakistan’s probable squad and key decisions ahead of the Tests.
Table of content
Key Updates and Line-Up Changes
Saim Ayub Ruled Out
Saim Ayub’s injury during the Cape Town Test rules him out of the West Indies series. His absence opens the door for Abdullah Shafique to return to the playing XI and partner with Shan Masood at the top of the order.
Babar Azam’s Position Secured
Despite recent struggles in Test cricket, Babar Azam retains his spot at No. 3. After showing glimpses of form in the second Test against South Africa, the Pakistani star will look to capitalize on home conditions against the visiting West Indies.
Middle-Order Stability
Kamran Ghulam, seen as a promising successor to Babar, is expected to bat at No. 4. Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, and Salman Ali Agha round off a strong middle order, providing depth and balance to Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Bowling Department: Shaheen Afridi Excluded
Shaheen Afridi’s exclusion stems from a tussle with the PCB over workload management and disciplinary issues. With Afridi sidelined, the pace attack will likely feature Mir Hamza, Aamir Jamal, and Khurram Shahzad, with two of the three expected to play given the conditions.
Spin Duo Returns
Pakistan will stick to their trusted spin combination, with Sajid Khan and Noman Ali forming the frontline spin attack.
Backup Options
- Muhammad Hurraira: Likely to be the backup opener in Ayub’s absence.
- Haseebullah Khan: Expected to serve as the reserve wicketkeeper to Mohammad Rizwan.
- Naseem Shah: Dropped after poor performances in South Africa but might be retained as a backup pacer.
Probable Squad for West Indies Tests
- Shan Masood (c)
- Abdullah Shafique
- Babar Azam
- Kamran Ghulam
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Saud Shakeel
- Salman Ali Agha
- Aamir Jamal
- Mir Hamza
- Khurram Shahzad
- Sajid Khan
- Noman Ali
- Naseem Shah
- Muhammad Hurraira
Challenges Ahead
The Men in Green will look to bounce back from their recent setbacks and regain momentum on home soil. The absence of Shaheen Afridi and Saim Ayub poses challenges, but a well-balanced squad offers hope for a competitive series against the West Indies.
