Pakistan’s team management has reportedly finalised its pace-bowling combination for the upcoming Test tours of the West Indies and England, with all-rounder Aamir Jamal set to return to the red-ball setup.
According to sources, the team management and selection committee have opted to travel with four specialist fast bowlers alongside one pace-bowling all-rounder for the two overseas assignments.
The specialist pace attack is expected to comprise Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shehzad and uncapped fast bowler Ubaid Shah, while Aamir Jamal is set to fill the role of the seam-bowling all-rounder.
The reported plans also indicate that experienced pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali, who were part of Pakistan’s squad for the Bangladesh series, will not feature in the Test setup for the upcoming tours.
Ubaid Shah, who is the younger brother of Naseem Shah and hails from Lower Dir, is set to receive his maiden Test call-up after impressing in domestic cricket, claiming 72 wickets in 16 first-class matches at an average of 25.20.
Veteran seamer Mohammad Abbas remains the most experienced member of the pace unit. The right-armer has taken 110 wickets in 29 Test matches at an outstanding average of 23.23.
Mohammad Ali is also set to return to the national side after his last Test appearance against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi in September 2024. The pacer has featured in four Tests, taking six wickets.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
Khurram Shehzad is expected to complete the specialist fast-bowling quartet. The 26-year-old has established himself as a reliable red-ball option, claiming 28 wickets in seven Test matches at an average of 27.39.
Meanwhile, Aamir Jamal is poised to make his return after last featuring in the Cape Town Test against South Africa in January 2025.
The all-rounder has made valuable contributions with both bat and ball in his brief Test career, scoring 352 runs and taking 21 wickets in eight matches.
Pakistan are scheduled to depart for the West Indies on July 13, where they will begin preparations with a four-day warm-up fixture starting on July 18.
The two-match Test series against the Caribbean side will be played in Trinidad and Tobago, with the first Test scheduled from July 25 to 29 and the second from August 2 to 6.
Following the West Indies tour, Pakistan will head to England for a three-match Test series.
The opening Test is set to begin at Headingley on August 19, followed by the second at Lord’s from August 27, while the final Test will be played at Edgbaston from September 9.
