Babar Azam Announces Comeback As Pakistan Captain With Statement Century

Babar Azam at press conference (Source: AP Photos)

Two weeks ago, Babar Azam replaced Shan Masood as Pakistan’s Test captain. He will be in charge of Pakistan tour of West Indies, followed by the England tour.

Babar is currently in the West Indies, where Pakistan are playing against West Indies Select XI in a four-day warm-up match at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba.

Pakistan Captain Babar Azam re-announced his arrival as the leader of the pack in style. He smashed a fine century with the help of 12 fours and a six before retiring himself hurt in order to give other more opportunities.

Pakistan will play two-Test series in the West Indies next, scheduled to get underway on July 25 in Tarouba. After that, they will play at Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, starting on August 2.

Babar Azam Marks Superb Return As Pakistan Captain

Returning as Pakistan captain, Babar Azam came to bat at No. 4, his preferred batting position. He took 151 balls to touch the three-digit mark. 

Along with him, Azan Awais notched up a gritty century as well, taking 241 balls before retiring himself hurt. Babar, too, did the same after Pakistan opener retired himself hurt for others.

Hassan Abbasian

@HassanAbbasian

Moment when Babar Azam brought his hundred. He immediately retired out after the century. This will surely give the confidence to him before the Series ♥️👏

Jul 20, 2026, 12:32 AM

At stumps on Day 2, Pakistan reached 455/4, with two more days still to come. At this point, Mohammad Rizwan is alone in the middle, batting on 44*, while Salman Agha made 46 before losing his wicket to Ryan Bandoo.

Also Read: 3 Major Problems To Address For Babar Azam As Pakistan's Test Captain

Former Pakistan captain Shan Masood made a fine 70 in the same innings, while Abdullah Fazal retired hurt after a 97-ball half-century.

Babar Azam Record As Pakistan Test Captain

Babar Azam worked as Pakistan captain across all three formats back in 2023. In Tests, he took the responsbility for Pakistan in 2021.

Overall, under Babar Azam, Pakistan won 10 out of 20 matches. Out of other 10 games, Pakistan lost six and drew four matches.

In his last match as Test captain, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs back in July 2023, in Colombo.

Babar Azam Test Stats In Recent Times

Babar’s Test numbers drastically decreased for Pakistan in recent years. As a result, his overall Test average reduced to 42.67, having made 4481 runs in 62 matches.

[Babar Azam's Numbers In Tests]

In total, Babar has 31 half-centuries and nine centuries, with the best score of 196, coming against Australia in 2022. His away numbers have been poor, averaging only 38.38 after 34 Tests, having tallied 2188 runs with just two centuries outside Pakistan.

Pakistan Test Squad For West Indies Tour

Babar Azam (c), Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Awais Zafar, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Ubaid Shah

Also Read: Rohit Sharma Demands Virat Kohli Alongside Himself For 2027 World Cup Citing Special Bond