Pakistan vs West Indies Select XI gets underway today, Saturday 18 July 2026, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad. This is a four-day warm-up match, not a Test, and it starts at 7:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PST). The real two-match Test series begins on 25 July, so today’s game is Pakistan’s last big chance to get ready in Caribbean conditions.
Pakistan vs West Indies: Why This Warm-Up Matters
Pakistan arrive in the Caribbean after a difficult run in Test cricket. After a series loss to Bangladesh, the Pakistan camp was urged to reflect on recurring failures and address the root causes behind their slide in Tests. This warm-up is not just a formality. It is a genuine tune-up in unfamiliar heat, wind, and bounce before the high-stakes series opener on 25 July.
Pakistan have just completed their first high-intensity practice session at the Queen’s Park Cricket Club under the coaching team of Sarfaraz Ahmed, Asad Shafiq, and Umar Gul. The management is serious about getting things right this time.
Babar Azam Back as Test Captain
The biggest story going into this Pakistan vs West Indies tour is the captaincy change. Babar Azam takes charge after Shan Masood was removed as Pakistan Test captain. This is Babar’s second stint leading Pakistan in the longest format, and Babar has said his main focus is on discipline, fitness, and performance, adding that it is important to understand where and why Pakistan have been struggling in Tests.
With Babar Azam back leading the side, all eyes will be on how the top order handles the red ball in unfamiliar conditions and which bowlers secure their spots in the starting XI.
Match Details: Venue, Date, and Pakistan Time
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | West Indies Select XI vs Pakistan (Tour Match) |
| Venue | Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, Trinidad |
| Date | 18 July to 21 July 2026 |
| Start Time (Local) | 10:00 AM (Trinidad) |
| Start Time (PST) | 7:00 PM |
| Format | Four-Day Warm-Up (First Class) |
Ahead of the Test series, this four-day warm-up match is being played between West Indies Select XI and Pakistan at Brian Lara Stadium, Trinidad, Tarouba. The Brian Lara Academy is a well-regarded ground, and Caribbean pitches at Tarouba tend to offer pace and carry early on before flattening out. Pakistani batters will need to handle the extra bounce, while the bowlers will want to find their rhythm at a lively pace-friendly venue.
Tour Schedule at a Glance
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 18-21 July 2026 | Pakistan vs WI Select XI (Warm-Up) | Tarouba, Trinidad |
| 25-29 July 2026 | 1st Test: West Indies vs Pakistan | Tarouba, Trinidad |
| 2-6 August 2026 | 2nd Test: West Indies vs Pakistan | Port of Spain |
As per the Pakistan tour of West Indies 2026 schedule, the tour’s first Test begins on July 25 at Brian Lara Stadium, Trinidad, Tarouba. The second Test then follows on 2 August at Port of Spain.
Pakistan’s New-Look Attack
This is not your usual Pakistan pace attack. Pakistan have shaken things up in their quest to remedy their recent poor Test record away from home, with a new-look attack featuring Mohammad Ali, Jamal, and Ubaid. Big names like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali are not on this tour. Pakistan dropped Shaheen, Hasan, and Noman for the West Indies and England Tests. It is a bold call, but the selectors clearly want fresh energy and pace in these conditions.
There is also an injury update to note. Saud Shakeel has been left out of the West Indies tour because of fitness issues, but Pakistan are expecting him to be back for the Tests in England. His absence leaves a gap in the middle order that someone will need to fill during this warm-up.
Women Under-19s Win in Karachi
On the domestic front, Pakistan women’s cricket has good news too. Pakistan defeated South Africa by 47 runs in the second T20 match to level the Under-19 Women’s T20 series at 1-1. The third match in the series is scheduled for 19 July 2026 in Karachi. This is a real confidence boost for young Pakistani women cricketers.
What Pakistan Fans Should Watch For Today
- Babar Azam’s batting: How does he look at the crease against Caribbean pace in his first red-ball outing as captain again?
- New bowling attack: Can Mohammad Ali, Jamal, and Ubaid trouble the local batters and book their Test spots?
- Top-order stability: Pakistan’s batting collapses have been a problem. The warm-up is the time to fix that before it costs them in a Test.
- Pitch and conditions: The hosts will look to test the Pakistani lineup’s patience and technical discipline right from the first ball.
You can follow live scores and updates on ESPNcricinfo and check the full official tour schedule on the Cricket West Indies official website.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Pakistan vs West Indies Select XI start in Pakistan time?
The warm-up match starts at 7:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time (PST) on Saturday, 18 July 2026. The local start time in Trinidad is 10:00 AM.
Where is the Pakistan vs West Indies warm-up match being played?
Pakistan’s red-ball campaign in the Caribbean officially gets underway with a vital four-day warm-up match against a West Indies Select XI at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.
Who is captaining Pakistan in the West Indies tour?
Babar Azam is captaining Pakistan. He has returned for a second stint as Test captain after Shan Masood was removed from the role ahead of this tour.
When does the actual Test series between Pakistan and West Indies start?
The first Test between West Indies and Pakistan begins on 25 July 2026 at Tarouba, and the second Test follows on 2 August at Port of Spain.
