Multan [Pakistan], January 12: Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam will not open the batting in the upcoming two home Tests against the West Indies, as reported by Geo News.
Babar, who recently regained his form, had opened Pakistan’s innings in the absence of Saim Ayub, who injured his ankle while chasing the ball with teammate Aamer Jamal. Ayub’s injury prevented him from batting in both innings, and Babar, with his extensive experience as an opener, stepped in alongside captain Shan Masood. In his first innings, Babar scored 58 runs off 127 balls, and in the second innings, he followed up with an 81-run knock off 124 balls, forming a record-breaking 201-run opening partnership with Masood.
With Ayub sidelined, the Pakistan management has decided to place their trust in Imam-ul-Haq to open the batting. Abdullah Shafique, another potential option, remains out of the squad due to poor recent form. Imam, who has played 24 Tests for Pakistan and scored 1,568 runs, including three centuries, returns to the Test team for the first time since December 2023. Mohammad Haris, another young opener, has also been included in the squad but has yet to make his Test debut.
With the inclusion of Imam and Haris, Babar is expected to return to the middle-order, likely resuming his role at number three. The first Test of the series will begin on January 17 in Multan.
Pakistan squad for the West Indies Tests: 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.