Shafique, Shakeel added as cover to Pakistan Test squad

Batters Saud Shakeel and Abdullah Shafique will join the Pakistan squad for the remainder of the Test series in the West Indies and the tour of England. 

As announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Shafique will replace batter Abdullah Fazal, who sustained a back injury during training on the eve of the first Test in Trinidad, and has been ruled out of both series against West Indies and England. Shafique last featured in Test cricket in October 2025 against South Africa in Rawalpindi.

Shakeel was set to miss the tour to the West Indies due to concerns over his form and fitness, with his participation in England dependent on whether he would be needed. Director of Cricket Aaqib Javed confirmed that the southpaw was expected to join the squad in England, but currently faces a return much ahead of schedule. 

The first Test between the West Indies and Pakistan saw the visitors field six frontline batters, with all-rounder Aamer Jamal carded in at number 7, leading to an extended tail. They will be hoping the inclusions of Shafique and Shakeel would give them more impetus with the bat.

Pakistan find themselves at 199 for 3 at the end of Day 3, having conceded a total of 311 after being made to field. Shan Masood remains unbeaten on a score of 88 off 137 balls, and was supported well by a 102-ball 63 from Imam-ul-Haq. With the ball, seamer Mohammad Ali was the pick of the bunch with figures of 4 for 50 in 21.5 overs and was ably backed up by the metronomic Mohammad Abbas, who finished with figures of 3 for 63 from 26 overs.

Updated Pakistan squad for Tests in the West Indies and England:

Babar Azam (capt), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Awais Zafar, Mohammad Ghazi Ghouri, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah

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