Babar Azam has been reinstated as Pakistan’s Test captain before the upcoming tours of the West Indies and England.

The top-order batter, 31, was previously Test captain from November 2020 to November 2023 and has returned in place of Shan Masood.

The 36-year-old has overseen 13 defeats in 16 Tests since taking over from Azam in December 2023.

Pakistan finished ninth and bottom of the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle and lie ninth in the current cycle after a 2-0 series defeat in Bangladesh in May.

Speaking as the new Pakistan Test squad was announced, selector Aaqib Javed said on Sunday: “Baber will be our new Test captain as we feel that Masood could not lead as desired.

“The selection committee discussed who could be the best player to lead Pakistan and Baber is the best option.”

Babar resigned as Pakistan captain in all formats following a disappointing World Cup campaign in 2023.

He returned as skipper for the men’s T20 World Cup in 2024 before stepping down as limited-overs captain for a second time in October 2024 to focus on his playing role.

Pakistan’s two Tests against the West Indies are from 25 July and 2 August, before they play three Tests in England – at Headingley (19 August), Lord’s (27 August) and Edgbaston (9 September).

Fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali have been left out after being part of the squad in Bangladesh.

In comes uncapped 20-year-old fast bowler Ubaid Shah, the younger brother of Naseem, who missed out. Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali are the three other fast bowlers selected.

Uncapped middle-order batsman Awais Zafar and left-arm spinner Ali Usman have been called up for the first time.