“As part of workload management, the pace quartet of Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza and Naseem Shah have been rested,” the PCB said in a media release.
Abbas was an outstanding performer in the South Africa series, finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker with ten wickets from the two Tests – including his 100th Test wicket. It was his first tryouts in three years. His rest is also likely a result of the expected state of the pitch – which helps spin – where his relatively slower pace may not pose a threat.
Saim Ayub, who suffered a fracture to his right ankle during the first Test against South Africa, is also missing from the squad. It will mean a new opening combination for the series as Abdullah Shafique, on the back of a prolonged run of poor form composed of three ducks in three ODIs in South Africa, has also been dropped. The selectors have chosen Imam-ul-Haq and Muhammad Hurraira in their places.
Rohail Nazir will be the back-up wicketkeeper for Mohammad Rizwan. He replaces Haseebullah Khan, who tore the ligament in his right hand in South Africa.
Both the Tests against the West Indies will be played in Multan, with the first starting on January 17 and the second on January 25.
Pakistan’s Test squad for the West Indies series
Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wk), Sajid Khan, Salman Agha
