Babar Azam made an immediate statement in his return as Pakistan’s Test captain, scoring an unbeaten 100 off 151 balls in the warm-up match against a West Indies Select XI.
Pakistan finished Day 1 on 455/4. Azan Awais anchored with a patient 100 before retiring hurt, Shan Masood added a fluent 70, while Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed early for 10. Babar’s knock was calm and controlled — 12 fours and 1 six — and he chose to retire out after reaching his century.
For the hosts, Ryan Bandoo was the pick of nine bowlers used, taking 2/86.
The century will boost Babar’s confidence ahead of a tough run. His first stint as Test captain from 2020-2023 saw 10 wins in 20 Tests and series wins vs South Africa, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, with a batting average over 50.
Now the challenge gets tougher. Pakistan face a two-Test series against a West Indies side coming off a 217-run win over Sri Lanka, followed by a 3-Test tour of England — their first in 6 years — and then home series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
