January 12, 2025: In the upcoming two home Tests against the West Indies, Babar Azam will not open the batting for Pakistan. This decision comes after Saim Ayub's injury, which left him unable to take part in the matches. Babar had previously opened the innings with Shan Masood when Ayub was sidelined due to an ankle injury. During that stint, Babar performed admirably, scoring 58 runs in the first innings and 81 runs in the second, forming a significant partnership with Masood.
However, with Ayub out of the equation, Pakistan's management has opted to bring in Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Haris as openers for the Tests against the West Indies. Imam, who has 24 Test caps and 1,568 runs, returns to the Test team after his last appearance in December 2023. Haris, on the other hand, is yet to make his Test debut but has been included as an opening option.
With two designated openers now in the squad, Babar Azam is expected to return to his usual position at number three. The first Test of the series is set to begin on January 17 in Multan.
The complete squad for the Tests against the West Indies includes:
- 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
