The Pakistan vs West Indies Test series 2026 has finally arrived, bringing back one of cricket’s oldest rivalries to the Caribbean. This two-match series between PAK vs WI is being played from 25 July to 6 August 2026 in Trinidad, marking Pakistan’s return to West Indian soil after several years. Both teams are currently placed at the bottom of the World Test Championship table, which makes this PK vs WI contest even more important for both sides as they look to salvage pride and climb the standings before the next WTC cycle begins.
Cricket fans across Pakistan are extremely excited about this Pak vs West series because it comes right after Babar Azam’s return as Test captain, giving the team a fresh look heading into a tough overseas assignment. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about the Pak vs Wes series 2026, including full schedule, squads, venues, match previews, and where to watch the action live.
Pakistan vs West Indies Test Series 2026 – Full Schedule
The Pak vs West Test series 2026 consists of two matches, both being played in Trinidad and Tobago.
| Match | Venue | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba | 25–29 July 2026 |
| 2nd Test | Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain | 2–6 August 2026 |
The Brian Lara Cricket Academy is hosting its very first-ever Test match, making the opening game of this Pakistan vs West Indies series historic in its own right. Both matches start at 2:00 PM GMT, which is 10:00 AM local Caribbean time.
Table of Contents
Pakistan Squad for PAK vs WI Test Series 2026
Pakistan have named a new-look squad for this Pak vs Wes tour, with several changes made to the pace bowling attack and a major captaincy shift at the top.
| Player Category | Names |
|---|---|
| Captain | Babar Azam |
| Top Order Batters | Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood |
| Middle Order | Awais Zafar, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness) |
| Wicketkeepers | Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori |
| All-Rounder | Aamer Jamal |
| Spinners | Sajid Khan, Ali Usman |
| Pace Bowlers | Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Ubaid Shah, Khurram Shehzad |
One of the biggest talking points of this Pakistan vs West Indies squad announcement is the return of Babar Azam as Test captain, replacing Shan Masood. Pakistan have also dropped Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali, bringing in Mohammad Ali, Aamer Jamal, and uncapped young pacer Ubaid Shah to strengthen the pace attack for tough overseas conditions.
West Indies Squad for PK vs WI Test Series 2026
The hosts have retained the core group that recently secured a series win over Sri Lanka, with Roston Chase continuing as their Test captain for this Pak vs West contest.
| Player Category | Names |
|---|---|
| Captain | Roston Chase |
| Vice-Captain | Jomel Warrican |
| Batters | Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kavem Hodge, Brandon King, Kirk McKenzie, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo |
| All-Rounder | Justin Greaves, Joshua Bishop |
| Wicketkeeper | Joshua Da Silva |
| Pace Bowlers | Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Keemo Paul |
| Spinner | Jomel Warrican |
West Indies come into this Pakistan vs West Indies series full of confidence after their recent home Test win against Sri Lanka. Their pace attack, led by the sharp and rapid Shamar Joseph alongside veteran campaigner Kemar Roach and the experienced Jayden Seales, is considered one of the strongest fast-bowling units the Caribbean side has fielded in recent years.
Head-to-Head Record and Series Background
Both Pakistan and West Indies are currently the two lowest-ranked teams in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, which gives this series added significance as a battle to avoid finishing at the bottom of the table.
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Current WTC Position | West Indies 8th, Pakistan 9th |
| West Indies Last Test Win vs Pakistan | 2000 |
| Recent Pakistan Test Form | Lost 12 of last 16 Tests |
| Recent West Indies Test Form | Won just 1 of last 10 Tests |
| Past Series Between the Two | West Indies have not won any of the last eight series against Pakistan |
Despite West Indies playing at home with familiar conditions, Pakistan’s overall historical dominance in this fixture makes the Pak vs Wes series a genuinely close contest on paper, even though both teams have struggled badly with consistency in Test cricket recently.
Key Players to Watch in Pakistan vs West Indies 2026
Several individual battles are expected to shape the outcome of this PAK vs WI series.
| Player | Team | Why He Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | Leading the Test side again, under pressure to perform with the bat |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Pakistan | Counter-attacking wicketkeeper-batter who can shift momentum |
| Sajid Khan | Pakistan | Primary spin threat and top wicket-taking option |
| Aamer Jamal | Pakistan | Returns as the seam-bowling all-rounder for balance |
| Shamar Joseph | West Indies | Express pace bowler with steep bounce, biggest threat to Pakistan’s top order |
| Roston Chase | West Indies | Captain and experienced all-rounder anchoring the side |
Where to Watch Pakistan vs West Indies Live
Fans wanting to follow this Pak vs West series live can access ball-by-ball coverage through official broadcasters and streaming platforms authorised for Pakistan cricket, subject to regional broadcast rights. Live scores, ball-by-ball commentary, and match updates are also available on official cricket score portals for supporters who cannot access television broadcast.
Weather and Pitch Conditions
July is historically the wettest month of the year in Trinidad, so rain interruptions are expected during parts of the Pakistan vs West Indies series, particularly during the first Test. Pitches at both venues have generally played flat and slow in recent times, which may favour patient batting and could bring spinners like Sajid Khan and Jomel Warrican into play as the match progresses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When does the Pakistan vs West Indies Test series 2026 start?
The series begins on 25 July 2026 with the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, followed by the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, from 2 to 6 August 2026.
Q2: Who is the captain of Pakistan for the West Indies Test series?
Babar Azam has been appointed as Pakistan’s Test captain for this tour, taking over the role from Shan Masood ahead of the West Indies and England assignments.
Q3: Who is leading the West Indies team in this Pak vs Wes series?
Roston Chase continues as the West Indies Test captain, with Jomel Warrican serving as his vice-captain for the home series against Pakistan.
Q4: How many matches are being played in the PAK vs WI series 2026?
This is a two-match Test series, with both games being played in Trinidad and Tobago between late July and early August 2026.
Q5: Is this the first Test at Brian Lara Cricket Academy?
Yes, the opening match of this Pakistan vs West Indies series is the first-ever Test match to be hosted at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.
Q6: What is Pakistan’s recent Test record heading into this series?
Pakistan have struggled recently, losing 12 of their last 16 Test matches, which makes this West Indies tour an important opportunity for a turnaround.
Q7: Why is this series important for both teams?
Both Pakistan and West Indies are currently the two lowest-ranked sides in the World Test Championship standings, so this series carries extra weight as both teams look to improve their position before the next WTC cycle.
Final Words
The Pakistan vs West Indies Test series 2026 brings together two struggling Test sides in a genuinely competitive setting, with fresh leadership, new-look bowling attacks, and plenty riding on the outcome for both teams. Whether you are following the PAK vs WI contest for Babar Azam’s captaincy return or West Indies’ fiery pace attack led by Shamar Joseph, this series promises to be closely fought from the very first ball at Tarouba to the final session at Queen’s Park Oval. Stay tuned for live updates, scores, and detailed match reports throughout the Pak vs WI Test series 2026.
Ch Shariq
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