Reports: Babar Azam unlikely to open for Pakistan vs West Indies in test series

After Saim Ayub’s injury in the second match against South Africa, Pakistan’s Babar Azam opened the innings and also got back to his best. The team did, however, lose the Test series 2-0. Next up, the Asian team will welcome the West Indies in a two-match Test series.

Notably, the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan will host the first Test match on January 17. Despite being out for at least six months, it was anticipated that Ayub, the former captain of Pakistan, would continue to lead the squad in the first innings against Pakistan.

Babar Azam will not, however, be starting for Pakistan captain Shan Masood in the series, according to The Tribune.

The management had two choices for Ayub’s replacement: Abdullah Shafique and Imam Ul Haq. Since Abdullah is currently going through a difficult time, the management has chosen to go with Imam.

Notably, Imam last participated in Test matches for Pakistan on December 26, 2023, at Australia. In 24 Test matches, the southpaw has scored 1,568 runs, including three hundreds. When the team announced the squad, they also chose to include Muhammad Haris. Haris has not yet made an appearance in a Test match for Pakistan. Nine T20Is and six ODIs have been played by him.

Pakistan Test squad: Shan Masood (C), Saud Shakeel (VC), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (WK), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha.

West Indies Test Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Joshua Da Silva, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Amir Jangoo, Mikyle Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican.