PCB Announces Squad for West Indies Series 2025: Babar Azam and Rizwan Return to Strengthen Line-up

PCB Announces Squad for West Indies Series 2025 — Babar and Rizwan Make Comeback

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming West Indies tour of Pakistan, set to begin on August 1, 2025. The biggest headline from the squad list is the much-anticipated return of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, both of whom were previously rested or left out due to performance rotations and injury management.

????️ Series Starts: August 1, 2025

The bilateral series will feature both T20 Internationals and One Day Internationals (ODIs). Cricket fans in Pakistan and across the globe are excited to witness top-level action, with key players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah also named in the squad.

???? T20I Squad for Pakistan:

• Salman Ali Agha (Captain)

• Abrar Ahmed

• Faheem Ashraf

• Fakhar Zaman

• Haris Rauf

• Hasan Ali

• Hasan Nawaz

• Hussain Talat

• Khushdil Shah

• Mohammad Haris (wk)

• Mohammad Nawaz

• Sahibzada Farhan (wk)

• Saim Ayub

• Shaheen Shah Afridi

• Sufyan Moqim

The T20 squad sees Salman Ali Agha stepping in as captain, with a balanced combination of power hitters, pace bowlers, and spin options. Youngsters like Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz are expected to add aggression at the top order.

???? ODI Squad for Pakistan:

• Mohammad Rizwan (Captain/Wicketkeeper)

• Salman Ali Agha (Vice-Captain)

• Abdullah Shafique

• Abrar Ahmed

• Babar Azam

• Faheem Ashraf

• Fakhar Zaman

• Hasan Ali

• Hasan Nawaz

• Hussain Talat

• Mohammad Haris (wk)

• Mohammad Nawaz

• Naseem Shah

• Saim Ayub

• Shaheen Shah Afridi

• Sufyan Moqim

Rizwan returns as captain and wicketkeeper, while Babar Azam reclaims his spot in the batting lineup. With the presence of experienced all-rounders like Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz, the team looks balanced and competitive.

???? The Return of the Icons: Babar & Rizwan

After weeks of speculation, the PCB has confirmed the comeback of both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, signaling a renewed focus on consistency and experience. Their return is expected to boost team morale and strengthen the batting core, especially in ODIs, where Pakistan has lacked stability in recent months.

Babar's elegant strokeplay and Rizwan's reliability behind the stumps are seen as vital assets heading into the West Indies series and beyond.

???? What This Means for Pakistan Cricket

With the ICC Champions Trophy approaching in 2025-2026, this series is crucial for team building and identifying match-winners. The inclusion of rising stars like Sufyan Moqim, Saim Ayub, and Hasan Nawaz suggests that Pakistan is building depth for future tournaments.

Meanwhile, seasoned campaigners like Fakhar Zaman and Hasan Ali offer much-needed experience and flair.

???? PCB Chairman's Statement (Unofficial Summary)

Though not directly quoted, internal sources suggest the PCB wants to test new combinations while maintaining a core of experienced players for stability. Babar and Rizwan’s return aligns with this vision, offering leadership on and off the field.

⚔️ Series Outlook: What to Expect?

With both sides likely to play aggressive cricket, fans can expect high-scoring matches, fiery fast bowling, and intense fielding displays. The series will also serve as a platform for World Cup preparation, with team chemistry and player fitness under close observation.

✅ Conclusion:

Pakistan’s squad announcement for the West Indies series has reignited excitement among cricket fans. With the return of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, and a mix of youth and experience, Pakistan is poised for a competitive and entertaining home series.

The nation now waits eagerly for August 1, 2025 — when cricket will once again take center stage in Pakistan.