Sajid Khan, Noman Ali & Abrar Ahmed also returned to Pakistan squad
Imam-ul-Haq rejoins Pakistan squad for West Indies Test. Pakistan has announced a 15-player squad for a two-match Test series against West Indies, calling back opener Imam-ul-Haq and including uncapped Kashif Ali.
The upcoming series is part of the ICC World Test Championship and is scheduled to be played in Multan from January 17-21, and January 25-29.
The team’s selection committee has made seven changes to the 15-member group that toured South Africa, the press release issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.
The spinning duo Sajid Khan and Noman Ali will make a comeback after their heroic performance against England in October last year. Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed has also been recalled.
Imam-ul-Haq, who played his last test match against Australia in December 2023, will replace injured Saim Ayub. Out-of-form Abdullah Shafique also failed to make it to a 15-member squad. Muhammad Huraira has been given a chance.
First match begins on 17 January in Multan
Another change made to the squad is the inclusion of former Pakistan U19 and Shaheen’s captain Rohail Nazir in the absence of injured wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah.
For the pace department, the selectors have retained Khurram Shahzad from the last series, recalled Mohammad Ali, and included uncapped Kashif Ali after the PCB decided to rest pace battery, Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza, and Naseem Shah, to manage their workload
The retained players from the South Africa tour are Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, and Salman Ali Agha.
Pakistan squad
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.
West Indies squad
Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Joshua Da Silva (Vice-Captain), Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Amir Jangoo, Mikyle Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair, Jayden Seales, and Jomel Warrican
