Babar Azam will lead Pakistan's Test side for the second time in his career, starting with a two-Test series against the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25 to July 29.
What happened?
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reinstated Babar Azam as the captain of the national Test side, ending Shan Masood's tenure.
Why it matters for Babar Azam
Babar Azam's first stint as Test captain was considerably more productive, with Pakistan winning half of the 20 Tests he led, including a home series victory over South Africa.
The PCB's decision to restore Babar Azam reflects confidence in his previous record as captain despite his recent dip in Test form.
What comes next?
Pakistan will head to England for a three-match Test series after concluding the Caribbean leg, with the first Test taking place at Headingley in Leeds from August 19.
The squad announced by the PCB features Babar Azam as captain, along with Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, and Shan Masood, who was removed as captain after overseeing a difficult period for Pakistan in the longest format.
Babar Azam averaged a little over 27 with the bat in Test cricket since stepping down from the role in 2023, but his first stint as Test captain was more productive.
Pakistan finished Shan Masood's tenure on a run of seven straight Test defeats, matching the team's longest losing streak in the format.
The team's only major success under Masood came when Pakistan recovered to defeat England in a home Test series later that year.
Saud Shakeel's participation in the England series will depend on receiving fitness clearance, the PCB confirmed.
Babar Azam will look to lead Pakistan to success in the upcoming series, starting with the West Indies Tests from July 25 to July 29 and August 2 to August 6.
The final Test against England will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham from September 9.
Babar Azam's return as Test captain marks a new era for Pakistan, with the team looking to bounce back from a difficult period.
The PCB's decision to reinstate Babar Azam as captain is a significant move, with the team's upcoming series against West Indies and England crucial in determining their ICC World Test Championship standings.
Babar Azam's experience and leadership will be key in guiding Pakistan to success in the upcoming series.
The 16-member squad announced by the PCB features a mix of experienced and young players, with Babar Azam at the helm.
Pakistan will look to improve their Test rankings, currently rooted to the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship 2023 to 2025 standings.
The team's performance in the upcoming series will be closely watched, with Babar Azam's leadership under scrutiny.
The West Indies and England series will be a challenging test for Babar Azam and his team, but with the right mindset and strategy, they can achieve success.
Babar Azam's return as Test captain is a positive move for Pakistan, with the team looking to rebuild and regain their form in the longest format.
The upcoming series against West Indies and England will be a crucial period for Babar Azam and his team, with the team's ICC World Test Championship standings on the line.
The PCB's decision to reinstate Babar Azam as captain is a significant move, with the team looking to bounce back from a difficult period and regain their form in the longest format.