West Indies have named a 15-player squad for their upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan, with pace bowler Alzarri Joseph left out due to personal reasons. The series marks the start of a new home assignment for the Caribbean side, beginning July 25 in Tarouba and concluding August 6 in Port of Spain.
Roston Chase continues as captain, with Jomel Warrican retained as vice-captain. Left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop has earned a maiden Test call-up, while top-order batter Kirk McKenzie returns to the squad for the first time since 2024.
Joseph’s Absence Opens Door for Bishop
Joseph has been among West Indies’ most effective bowlers during the current World Test Championship cycle, but he will sit out this series for personal reasons. His unavailability creates space for Bishop, a left-arm orthodox spinner who has taken 119 wickets in 25 first-class matches at an average of 23.90. Bishop has been the leading wicket-taker across the last three West Indies Championship seasons, picking up 91 wickets in that span.
Fast bowler Anderson Phillip has also been dropped from the squad after his previous Test appearance against Sri Lanka, where he returned figures of 1 for 72 and 1 for 27 and was dismissed for a duck with the bat.
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McKenzie Returns After Strong Domestic Form
Kirk McKenzie replaces John Campbell, who was ruled out after suffering a left hamstring strain during West Indies’ recent ODI series against New Zealand. McKenzie’s recall follows a productive run in the latest West Indies Championship season, where he scored 323 runs across six innings at an average of 64.60.
The left-handed batter last featured in a Test match in January 2024. His inclusion strengthens the top order ahead of a series West Indies will be keen to build on following recent results against Sri Lanka.
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Series Context and Squad Details
West Indies arrive at this series having beaten Sri Lanka 1-0 in their last assignment, a result that pushed them up to eighth on the World Test Championship table. There is history riding on the opener too, since the Tarouba Test will be the first ever played at the Brian Lara Stadium.
Neither side comes into this series with much cushion in the standings. West Indies have managed just one win from ten Tests this cycle, and Pakistan have won only one of four, so both teams will be chasing points they can not really afford to lose.
The opening Test runs from July 25 in Tarouba, and the second follows in Port of Spain from August 2 to 6. West Indies will be trying to build on the momentum from their Sri Lanka series, while Pakistan will be looking for their first win away from home in this cycle, something that has eluded them so far.
West Indies squad for Pakistan Tests
Roston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican (vice-capt), Joshua Bishop, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Kirk McKenzie, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales.
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