Pakistan Test Squad: Players, Captain & Latest News (2026)
Who’s in Pakistan’s Test squad right now? Babar Azam’s second stint as captain, the post-England-tour rebuild, and every player in the red-ball setup.
Last updated: 11 October 2026
Quick answer: Pakistan’s Test squad is captained by Babar Azam (reappointed July 2026, replacing Shan Masood). After the 3–0 whitewash in England (Aug–Sep 2026), the PCB overhauled the squad — dropping Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha among seven players — and brought in young talent like Saim Ayub, Azan Awais and Saad Baig. The squad is rebuilding for the 2025–27 World Test Championship.
At a Glance
The red-ball picture, October 2026.
players in latest squad
England series result
players dropped Aug 2026
WTC final year
The Current Squad
The 17-man party for the Edgbaston Test (September 2026) — the latest announced squad.
| Player | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam (c) | Batter | Captain since Jul 2026 |
| Shan Masood | Batter | Former captain |
| Abdullah Shafique | Opener | |
| Saim Ayub | Opener | Recalled Aug 2026 |
| Azan Awais | Batter | |
| Abdullah Fazal | Batter | |
| Saud Shakeel | Batter | |
| Ghazi Ghori (wk) | Wicketkeeper | Debut series |
| Saad Baig (wk) | Wicketkeeper | Quaid-e-Azam Trophy POT |
| Arafat Minhas | Spin all-rounder | |
| Sajid Khan | Spinner | |
| Mohammad Imran (Randhawa) | Pace all-rounder | Debutant; first Test wicket at Edgbaston |
| Razaullah | Pace all-rounder | |
| Mohammad Abbas | Pacer | Experienced seamer |
| Mohammad Ali | Pacer | |
| Mohammad Imran Jnr | Pacer | |
| Ubaid Shah | Pacer |
Dropped in the August 2026 overhaul: Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar, Khurram Shahzad. Player profiles: who’s who in the squad.
The Captain: Babar Azam
Second stint, immense pressure.
The Return
Reappointed July 2026 after Shan Masood lost 12 of 16 Tests. Babar previously captained 20 Tests (2021–23), winning 10.
The Tour
Missed the Headingley Test injured (Salman Ali Agha captained); managed 97 runs in 4 innings — and faced Wasim Akram’s public criticism.
The Backing
The PCB plans a 2–3 year run for Babar to rebuild without series-by-series judgment.
Full story: Babar Azam — Test captain.
England 2026: Series Review
A tour to forget — 19 August to 13 September 2026.
| Test | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Headingley, Leeds | England won by an innings and 103 runs |
| 2nd Test | Lord’s, London | England won by 194 runs |
| 3rd Test | Edgbaston, Birmingham | England won — 3–0 series sweep |
Pakistan failed to cross 200 in four straight innings; the bowlers conceded heavily despite helpful conditions. The fallout: Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul sacked, seven players dropped. Full review: Pakistan vs England 2026.
World Test Championship 2025–27
The long road back.
Where Pakistan Stand
After finishing last in the 2023–25 cycle (including a historic home whitewash by Bangladesh), Pakistan began 2025–27 with the West Indies tour and the England series — both defeats.
What Comes Next
Home series are the rebuild’s foundation — and the young squad (Saim, Azan, Saad Baig, the Imrans) is being groomed for them. WTC guide →
In-Depth Guides
Every red-ball angle, covered.
Babar Azam: Test Captain
The second stint — appointment, the England tour, and what’s next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers on the Test squad.
Who is in Pakistan’s Test squad?
Who is Pakistan’s Test captain?
What happened on Pakistan’s England tour 2026?
Why was Mohammad Rizwan dropped from the Test squad?
Where does Pakistan stand in the World Test Championship?
Who are the new faces in Pakistan’s Test squad?
Follow Pakistan’s Red-Ball Rebuild
Squads, series reviews and the WTC campaign — all here.