Pakistan Announce White-Ball Squads for West Indies Tour: In a significant move ahead of their crucial white-ball series against the West Indies, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced their squads for both the T20I and ODI formats.
The series, set to begin on July 31, 2025, marks the return of senior players Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, strengthening Pakistan’s bid to bounce back after a disappointing T20I series loss to Bangladesh earlier this month.
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Experience Returns as Pakistan Regroup
The three-match T20I and ODI series in the Caribbean comes at a pivotal moment for Pakistan’s white-ball journey. With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 looming and the T20 World Cup 2026 qualification race heating up, the selectors have opted for experience over experimentation.
- Babar Azam, the former captain and batting mainstay, is back at the top of the order.
- Mohammad Rizwan, whose calm demeanor and consistent performances make him a key asset, returns to reclaim the gloves.
- Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s pace spearhead, rejoins the attack to lead the bowling department after being rested previously.
Chief selector Wahab Riaz emphasized that the trio’s return will bring the much-needed leadership, stability, and game awareness that the side lacked during the Bangladesh tour.
“Our young players showed promise, but we missed the calmness and control that players like Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen bring. This tour is vital for our preparations heading into a packed international calendar,” Riaz said.
Mix of Youth and Experience
While the return of senior stars grabbed the headlines, Pakistan’s squad continues to reflect a blend of seasoned pros and emerging talents. Players like Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, and Usama Mir have retained their places, giving them a chance to learn alongside the veterans.
The team management is particularly focused on finding a balanced XI that can adapt to the West Indian conditions, which typically offer pace and bounce but can also slow down under the sun.
Pakistan Announces White-Ball Squads for West Indies Tour: Series Schedule
The West Indies tour features:
- 3 T20 Internationals: July 31, August 2, and August 4
- 3 One-Day Internationals: August 7, August 9, and August 11
All matches are scheduled across Providence Stadium in Guyana and Kensington Oval in Barbados, venues known for their unpredictable surfaces and passionate local crowds.
Pakistan Announces White-Ball Squads for West Indies Tour: Full Squads
T20I Squad: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Shadab Khan (vc), Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Imad Wasim
ODI Squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan (vc), Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Naseem Shah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Jr
Eye on Redemption and Rankings
Pakistan will be eager to regain lost momentum and climb the ICC rankings in both formats. With crucial championship points on the line and international reputations at stake, this series could define how Pakistan approaches the remainder of 2025.
Moreover, fans will be watching closely to see if Babar and Rizwan’s return reignites Pakistan’s famed batting order, which looked disjointed without them.
The tour of the West Indies is more than just a bilateral contest — it’s an opportunity for Pakistan to reset, rebuild, and reassert itself as a white-ball powerhouse. With the return of its core trio — Rizwan, Babar, and Shaheen — Pakistan appears ready to turn the page and write a new chapter in their 2025 campaign.
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