TAROUBA: Pakistan begin their first Test series under the returning Babar Azam’s leadership when they take on West Indies at the Brian Lara Stadium here on Saturday, with both sides seeking to build on contrasting recent fortunes.
The two-match series marks the first Test assignment for Babar since he replaced Shan Masood as captain following Pakistan’s 2-0 series defeat in Bangladesh two months ago. It also comes at a crucial juncture for a Pakistan side that has lost seven consecutive Tests away from home.
The match will also be the first Test at the Brian Lara Stadium, which has previously hosted limited-overs internationals and regional first-class matches.
It becomes the West Indies’ 13th Test venue and the second in Trinidad after the historic Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, where the second Test will be played from Aug 2.
Babar, who has returned to the leadership role after a previous stint as captain, said Pakistan had spent nearly two months preparing for the series, with the team working on fitness, skills and areas that needed improvement.
“We are ready as a team and our preparations have gone well,” Babar said in a media talk on Friday. “The boys have worked very hard.
“We have worked on our fitness and skills and the areas where we were lacking, and we will try to get good results.”
The Pakistan captain said his focus was on getting the best out of his players rather than feeling the pressure of his return to the role.
“I am confident. The main thing for me is to get performances from the players and for Pakistan to win through those performances,” he said. “I learned a lot from my previous experience as captain and will try to improve further and make better decisions for Pakistan.”
Pakistan will be hoping their revamped squad can deliver a strong start after a confidence-boosting warm-up match against a West Indies Select XI this week.
Babar and opener Azan Awais scored centuries, while Mohammad Ali emerged as the most impressive bowler with a five-wicket haul in the first innings.
ABDULLAH OUT INJURED
However, Pakistan suffered a blow on the eve of the first Test when batter Abdullah Fazal was ruled out of both the West Indies series and the subsequent two-Test series in England due to an acute lower-back injury. Abdullah sustained the injury during a training session on Thursday and was ruled out after an MRI scan and clinical assessment.
Babar said Abdullah’s absence was a setback for the team.
“I wish him good luck and hope he recovers quickly and returns soon,” he said. “The kind of player and talent he is, I was quite inspired by him. The way he played the first series, his confidence and morale were high. But these things are in God’s hands.”
The Pakistan captain believes the combination of senior players and promising performers from domestic cricket has given the side a fresh energy.
“We have a good combination of seniors and juniors. There are some very good young domestic performers and senior players as well,” he said. “When you have such a combination, you get a different kind of energy. As a group, we are confident and focused.”
Pakistan’s biggest challenge could come from the conditions. Rain in the days leading up to the match has left the pitch covered and with moisture, making it difficult to predict how the surface will behave.
“The pitch looks very different right now because it has been raining, it is covered and there is moisture,” Babar said. “We cannot say much at the moment. We will make the final decision tomorrow. The conditions here generally help fast bowlers and the weather can be challenging.”
HOME ADVANTAGE
West Indies, meanwhile, enter the series with home advantage and renewed confidence after a dominant 1-0 series victory over Sri Lanka last month. They crushed Sri Lanka by an innings and 217 runs in the opening Test before the second match ended in a draw.
The series victory was Roston Chase’s first as West Indies Test captain, but his availability for Saturday’s opener had been a concern after he missed the recent ODI series against New Zealand with a right index-finger injury.
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy, however, expects Chase to be fit to lead the side.
“Roston is a fighter. I know he’s not going to want to miss any Test cricket,” Sammy said. “I’m pretty sure Dr Byam has a way of keeping guys on the park, so I’m pretty sure Roston will be ready for the first Test.”
The hosts are otherwise reluctant to make major changes to the combination that performed so well against Sri Lanka.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican could come into contention if the pitch is expected to favour spin later in the match, while 26-year-old Joshua Bishop has earned his maiden Test call-up after being the most successful bowler across the past three West Indies Championship seasons.
Kirk McKenzie has also been recalled to the 15-member squad after opener John Campbell was ruled out with a left hamstring injury. Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph is unavailable for personal reasons.
West Indies have not lost a home Test series since their 2-0 defeat by Bangladesh in 2022, while their most recent Test series against Pakistan ended 1-1 in Pakistan in January 2025. The teams also drew their two-Test series in the Caribbean in 2021.
The series is also likely to be influenced by the weather, with July and August typically bringing significant rainfall to the southern Caribbean. While Trinidad has experienced hot and sunny conditions in the build-up to the match, rain could remain a factor throughout the series.
For Pakistan, the immediate task is to end their long losing streak away from home. For West Indies, the opportunity is to build on their recent success and strengthen their standing under Chase.
Squads:
PAKISTAN: Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Awais Zafar, Mohammad Ghazi Ghouri, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah
WEST INDIES: Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), Joshua Bishop, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Kirk McKenzie, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales.
Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026
