Pakistan will take on the West Indies in the first match of the two-Test series, starting on Saturday, 25 July at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad and captain Babar Azam said he is confident that his team will deliver. Talking to media men, Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam has said that “we are preparing ourselves for the cricket series with England and West Indies for the last two months”, He also expressed regret over Abdullah Fazal being sidelined due to injury.

"My morale is high now that I have been entrusted with the captaincy again; I learned a great deal from my previous stint as captain". Babar Azam said that better decisions should be made that benefit Pakistan. The combination of senior and junior players has turned out very well. “It is disappointing for Abdullah Fazal; he is a talented player, but he was injured during practice. Following the report received today, he has been ruled out of the Test series. I am quite impressed by Abdullah Fazal; he is an excellent player.” Babar also highlighted the team’s preparations and backed his side to deliver, noting that players had worked hard on their fitness.

“As a team, we are fully prepared. Our preparations have gone really well. We have been getting ready for this series and the upcoming assignments for nearly two months,” he said. “The players have worked extremely hard on their fitness and on improving their skills,” he added. “There is no pressure. I am confident after being entrusted with the captaincy again. I learned a great deal from my previous stint as captain, and I will try to use that experience this time,” Babar remarked. “We have a very good combination of young and experienced players. As a team, we are confident,” he continued. “The pitch looks quite different at the moment. It has been raining, and the surface has remained under covers.

The conditions here generally favour the fast bowlers,” he concluded. Both Test matches are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27. The upcoming Test series will be Pakistan’s third series in the current cycle and their second away series. As part of their preparations for the series, the 16-member Pakistan squad also participated in a four-day match in Port of Spain. The batters took full advantage of the tour match, with opening batter Azan Awais and captain Babar scoring centuries in the first innings. Shan Masood and Abdullah Fazal struck half-centuries. In the second innings, Awais Zafar and Salman Ali Agha scored half-centuries.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)