“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 press release.
Abbas was a standout performer in the South African series, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with ten wickets from both Tests – including his 100th Test victim. These were his first tests in three years. His rest is probably also due to the expected condition of the pitches – facilitating rotations – on which his relatively slower pace might not pose a threat.
Saim Ayub, who fractured his right ankle during the first Test against South Africa, is also out of the squad. This will mean a new opening combination for the series as Abdullah Shafique, following a prolonged run of poor form compounded by three ducks in three ODIs in South Africa, has also been dropped. The selectors chose Imam-ul-Haq and Muhammad Hurraira in their place.
Rohail Nazir will be the backup wicketkeeper to Mohammad Rizwan. He replaces Haseebullah Khan, who broke his right hand strap in South Africa.
Both Tests against West Indies will be played in Multan, with the first starting on January 17 and the second on January 25.
Pakistan Test squad for 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 (week), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (week), Sajid Khan, Salman Agha
