Pakistan cricket team is set to play two Test vs WI | PC- AFP
With Babar Azam back as Test captain, Pakistan are all set to turn their fortunes in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC 2025/27) cycle, where they are yet to play four more series, starting with the tour of the West Indies 2026.
The first of the two Test matches between Pakistan and West Indies will be played at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, starting on Saturday (July 25).
Although the visiting team have moved on from Shan Masood, the former Test captain will play an integral part in the batting order, along with Babar Azam, Salman Agha and Imam-ul-Haq.
Meanwhile, Pakistan, who have always had a terrifying bowling attack, will have a relatively less terrorising one, with Mohammad Abbas leading it.
In this article, we will analyse the Pakistan Playing XI vs West Indies, 1st Test, on the basis of form and team combination.
Top Order: Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood
Imam-ul-Haq, with 27 Test matches under his belt, will be the senior opener in the Pakistan Playing XI vs West Indies 1st Test, even though he has yet to play an international fixture in the Caribbean. He may have failed on both occasions in the tour game, but Babar Azam & company will back his trusted ally.
Imam's partner in the upcoming fixture would be Azan Awais. The 21-year-old had a dream debut in Bangladesh, and he would like to carry that momentum into the West Indies. Moreover, he scored a stylish century against West Indies Select XI, sealing his spot as an opener for the Tarouba Test, if not both.
Also Read: Pakistan's Test Record In West Indies Before Pakistan Tour Of West Indies 2026
The PCB may have relieved Shan Masood of his duties as Test captain, but he will be a crucial player for Pakistan in the transition phase. The 36-year-old has only played a solitary Test in the West Indies, but he batted like a dream in the tour game, scoring a well-curated 70.
Middle Order: Babar Azam, Abdullah Fazal, Salman Agha, Mohammad Rizwan
Babar Azam's return as Pakistan Test captain has to be the biggest talking point of this series. He may have been going through a slump, unable to score a single century since 2022. However, the stylish batter is someone who considers pressure a privilege.
As a Test captain, Babar Azam scored 1727 runs at 50.79, while his average dropped to 38.78 when he played just as a batter.
| Criterion | As Captain | Not as Captain |
| Innings | 35 | 79 |
| Runs | 1727 | 2754 |
| Average | 50.79 | 38.78 |
| 50s/100s | 4/11 | 5/20 |
| Best Score | 196 | 143 |
Additionally, the Pakistan Test captain scored a mighty century in the tour game against a quality attack, making him one of the mainstays in the Pakistan Playing XI vs West Indies 1st Test.
Abdullah Fazal batted in the top order in his debut series in Bangladesh, scoring twin fifties in his maiden game for Pakistan. However, to accommodate Shan Masood in the PAK vs WI Playing XI, the young man will have to bat at number 5. That said, he scored a fifty while playing at that number in the practice game.
Salman Agha's place in the shortest format is under the radar, but he is still one of the backbone of Pakistan's batting in the longer formats. With Saud Shakeel out, Pakistan's T20I captain will have to play a major role.
Lastly, Mohammad Rizwan will need to play match-winning knocks to sustain his place, as younger wicketkeepers are coming through the ranks in the Pakistan domestic set-up.
All-Rounders & Bowlers: Aamir Jamal, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali
Aamir Jamal is making a comeback in the Pakistan setup after two years, last played a Test match in South Africa. His story to the top has been inspiring enough, and who can forget his magic Down Under? However, the fast-bowling all-rounder will have to play a key role if Pakistan want to do well in the Caribbean.
The national selectors have named two spinners in the Pakistan squad for the West Indies tour, but the left-arm spinner Ali Usman is looking like the front-runner ahead of Sajid Khan in the Pakistan Playing XI vs West Indies 1st Test. The 33-year-old has ample experience of playing FC cricket, while he bowled well in a practice game vs West Indies Select XI.
With no Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali and Naseem Shah, the PCB selectors have picked a different pack of fast bowlers. The experienced Mohammad Abbas is there, while Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali will assist him. There is certainly talk around Ubaid Shah, but he might have to sit out of the PAK Playing XI vs WI 1st Test.
Pakistan Playing XI vs West Indies, 1st Test
PAK Playing XI vs WI for 1st Test: Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (C), Abdullah Fazal, Salman Agha, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Aamir Jamal, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali.
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