Joshua Bishop Gets First Test Call-Up in West Indies Squad for Pakistan

West Indies have handed a maiden Test call-up to left-arm orthodox spinner Joshua Bishop in the 15-man squad for the home series against Pakistan. The group mostly keeps together the core that won a Test series 1-0 against Sri Lanka earlier this month.

Who comes in and who misses out

Kirk McKenzie returns to the Test set-up for the first time since 2024. He takes the place of John Campbell, who is out with a left hamstring injury picked up during the recent ODI series against New Zealand. Anderson Phillip has been left out, and fast bowler Alzarri Joseph was not available for selection for personal reasons.

Roston Chase continues as captain, with Jomel Warrican as his vice-captain.

The case for Bishop and McKenzie

Bishop’s selection follows a strong first-class record: 119 wickets in 25 matches at an average of 23.90. He was also the leading wicket-taker across the last three West Indies Championship seasons, with 91 wickets. McKenzie earned his recall through a productive domestic campaign in which he scored 323 runs in six innings at an average of 64.60.

Venues and what is at stake

The first Test is at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy from July 25 to 29. It will be the first men’s Test at the ground and make it the 13th Caribbean venue to stage Test cricket. The second Test follows at Queen’s Park Oval from August 2 to 6.

Both sides want to climb the ICC World Test Championship table. West Indies have won one of their 10 Tests in the current cycle, while Pakistan have won one of four.

West Indies Test squad

Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), 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 and Jayden Seales.