Pakistan selectors on Saturday recalled opener Imam-ul-Haq in a new look squad for the two-match test series against the West Indies starting on Friday.
Pakistan test squad announced for West Indies series 🚨
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 11, 2025
First match begins on 17 January in Multan 🏏
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/MNZF4dWjKH#PAKvWI pic.twitter.com/gvgast4Sbj
The 29-year old Imam has played 24 tests for Pakistan but was dropped over poor form after a 3-0 defeat in Australia early last year.
The selectors have also named three uncapped players in opener Muhammad Hurraira, wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir and pacer Kashif Ali on the back of their good performances in domestic matches.
Pakistan will host the visitors for the first time in 19 years, with both tests held in Multan, starting from January 17 and January 25.
🚫 Still no Shaheen Afridi
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 11, 2025
❌ Abdullah Shafique dropped
✅ Imam-ul-Haq recalled
🛏️ Jamal, Abbas, Hamza, Naseem rested
🌀 Sajid Khan, Abrar Ahmed return
🆕 Uncapped Mohammad Hurraira, Rohail Nazir, Kashif Ali included
Thoughts, Pakistan fans? #PAKvWI pic.twitter.com/2jCltDp3SB
Shan Masood is retained as skipper despite Pakistan losing both the tests in South Africa last week.
Besides Masood, Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, and Salman Ali Agha kept their places from the South Africa series.
Offspinner Sajid Khan and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed have been recalled to partner with left-arm spinner Noman Ali.
Noman and Sajid took 29 wickets in Pakistan’s 2-1 win over England last year.
Injured opener Saim Ayub is also left out of the Pakistan squad for the West Indies tests.
Squad: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha.