By Karan Agrawal 
The PCB has announced Pakistan’s squad for the two-match Test series against West Indies to be played in Pakistan. One of the notable omissions from the Shan Masood-led side is that of Pakistan’s fast bowling spearhead Shaheen Afridi who hasn’t played a Test match since October 2024 when he was dropped after his team’s loss in the first Test against England.
The Omission
The left-arm pacer who is currently fulfilling his commitments in the Bangladesh Premier League wasn’t a part of Pakistan’s recent tour of Pakistan where the team played two Test matches however he was a part of the white ball series that preceded the Tests..
The Plan
Shaheen’s new ball bowling partner Naseem Shah has also been rested following the tour of South Africa where he led an inexperienced pace attack. One of the reasons for resting the duo would be that the team management wants to keep them fresh for the 2025 Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Pakistan and Dubai.
The Comeback
On the batting front, the selectors have brought back Imam-ul-Haq in place of Abdullah Shafique who has struggled to score runs in the last few months. The selection committee has also picked opener Huraira to partner Imam at the top of the order in place of Saim Ayub who picked up an injury during the second Test against against South Africa.
The Reunion
The squad also witnessed the return of Sajid Khan who was instrumental in Pakistan’s come-from-behind home series win against England last year where he and Noman Ali bowled long spells on helpful wickets to deliver a historic series win for the home side. The duo is joined by Abrar Ahmed who would be itching to deliver a solid performance on a surface that is expected to assist the spinners.
The Changes
The selectors have decided to go in with a new-look bowling attack with promising names like Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, and uncapped pacer Kashif Ali being included in the squad along with Pakistan’s former U19 captain and wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir who replaces injured Haseebullah
Pakistan squad for the West Indies Tests:
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.