“As part of workload management, the quartet of Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza and Naseem Shah have been rested,” the PCB said in a press release.
Abbas had an outstanding performance in the South Africa series, finishing as the highest wicket-taker with ten wickets from the two Tests, including his 100th Test victim. Those were his first tests in three years. His rest is also likely a result of the expected pitch condition (helping spin) where his relatively slower pace may not pose a threat.
Saim Ayub, who suffered a fracture in his right ankle during the first test against South Africa, is also not in the squad. That will mean a new opening combination for the series as Abdullah Shafique, after a prolonged run of poor form compounded by three ducks in three ODIs in South Africa, has also been dropped. The selectors have picked Imam-ul-Haq and Muhammad Hurraira in their places.
Rohail Nazir will be the backup goalkeeper for Mohammad Rizwan. He replaces Haseebullah Khan, who tore the membrane in his right hand in South Africa.
Both Tests against the 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 (wk), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (week), Sajid Khan, Salman Agha
