LAHORE: Middle-order batsman South Shakeel is likely to be included in Pakistan’s squad for the two-match Test series against West Indies, sources told Geo Subbar on Friday.
Shakeel was initially left out of Pakistan’s squad for the tour of the West Indies following his poor performance in the Green Shirts’ two-match Test series against Bangladesh, during which he scored 29 runs in four innings at a dismal average of just 7.25.
However, the 30-year-old’s selection for the August 19-September 3 series against England is subject to his fitness.
However, insiders suggested that Fazal’s untimely injury, which came ahead of the series opener against the West Indies, could pave the way for Shakeel’s return to the Pakistan Test fold.
Shakil, who made his Test debut for Pakistan in 2022, has so far played 23 matches during which he has amassed 1802 runs at an impressive average of 43.95 with four centuries and 10 fifties.
Notably, the upcoming series against the West Indies, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27, marks the start of batsman Babar Azam’s second stint as Pakistan Test captain.
The opening match of the series will be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy from July 25 to 29, while the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain will be played from August 2 to 6.
Pakistan squad updated for West Indies Test
Babar Azam (c), Amir Jamal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Awais Zafar, Mohammad Qazi Shah Ghori (wk), Sajid Khan and UK Maliood, Salman Ali.
Sohail Imran
comments