PAK vs WI: Why was West Indies vice captain Joshua Da Silva dropped for first match after playing 33 consecutive Tests?

Today at the Multan Cricket Stadium, the West Indies kick off their Test series against Pakistan. A day prior to the game, both clubs made some significant decisions and revealed their starting lineups.

Interestingly, the West Indies are playing a Test series in Pakistan for the first time since 2006. The Kraigg Brathwaite-led team already made a significant adjustment when announcing the squad for the opening Test match in this series against one of the best sides in world cricket.

Joshua Da Silva, the wicketkeeper-batter and vice captain, was pulled out of the starting lineup. Amir Jangoo, a 27-year-old rookie, took his place.

Despite having a strong start to his Test career, Joshua Da Silva hasn’t been playing at his best lately. Da Silva has only managed to score 92 runs at an average of 11.5 in the last nine innings, after scoring two crucial knocks of 82* and 49 against England last year. Da Silva only averaged 22.25 last season, and in the 18 innings he played in 2024, he only managed 356 runs and two 50+ score.

Amir Jangoo, on the other hand, had a fantastic start to his international career. He became the first ODI batsman to achieve a century on debut while batting at or below number four after hitting a century in his first ODI encounter against Bangladesh. He also had a respectable first-class record, with 1909 runs at an average of 34.08 in 35 games. In the warm-up match against the Shaheens, he again scored fifty runs.

Playing XIs for First Test –

Pakistan: Shan Masood (c), Mohammad Huraira, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Sajid Khan, Noman Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Abrar Ahmed.

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, Kavem Hodge, Alick Athanaze, Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach, Kevin Sinclair, Gudakesh Motie, Jomel Warrican, Amir Jangoo, Jayden Seales.