Babar Azam Marks Return as Pakistan Captain with Century in Warm-Up Match

Babar Azam marked his return as Pakistan captain with a composed century in the team's warm-up fixture against a West Indies Select XI on July 20, 2026.

What happened?

Babar Azam walked away with an unbeaten 100 off 151 balls, lacing his innings with 12 fours and one six, as Pakistan posted 455 runs on the board for the loss of four wickets. Azan Awais anchored the innings with a patient hundred before retiring hurt, while Imam-ul-Haq fell early for 10. Shan Masood, who is now playing under his successor, chipped in with a fluent 70.

Why it matters for Babar Azam

Babar's first spell as Test captain between 2020 and 2023 was considerably more successful, winning 10 of his 20 matches while losing just six. He maintained a batting average above 50 and guided Pakistan to series victories over South Africa, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Nonetheless, Babar's second stint begins with an extremely difficult assignment. A two-match series against a red-hot West Indies side awaits first, followed by a three-match series in England and a challenging home season against New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

What comes next?

Pakistan are set to face West Indies for a two-match Test series starting on July 25. The West Indies side has been ruthless recently, having demolished Sri Lanka in their previous series, including an innings victory by 217 runs in the second Test. Babar Azam has vowed to focus on three key aspects ahead of the new journey as Pakistan captain: improving the team's fielding, increasing the batting average, and developing a strong bowling unit.

And, as the team gears up for the challenging series, Babar Azam's return to the Test captaincy has sent a strong message to his teammates and opponents alike. With his composed century in the warm-up fixture, Babar has shown that he is ready to lead the team to success in the upcoming series.

But, the road ahead will not be easy. The West Indies side is known for their aggressive cricket, and Pakistan will need to be at their best to emerge victorious. Nonetheless, with Babar Azam at the helm, the team is confident of a strong showing in the series.

So, as the team prepares to take on the West Indies, one thing is clear: Babar Azam is back, and he's ready to lead Pakistan to victory.

And, in a statement that reflects his focus on the upcoming series, Babar Azam said, "We are looking forward to the series against West Indies. We have been working hard on our fielding and batting, and we are confident of a strong showing."

But, the real test will come when the team takes to the field against the West Indies. Will Babar Azam's team be able to overcome the challenges and emerge victorious? Only time will tell.

Full Schedule: Pakistan tour of the West Indies

For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.