Pak vs WI: Pakistan jumps into West Indies Tests, leaves out Abbas and Naseem

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.

Shaheen Afridi, who also did not play in the Tests in South Africa, no longer has a place in the squad. With Naseem also out, it means that a home season that began with Pakistan talking up their pace depth and fielding a full-pace attack will end with Shaheen and Naseem having played two and three nines Tests. The pair were widely seen as the spearhead of the attack when the season began, but neither managed to play two consecutive Tests. Tellingly, when Pakistan launched a full-tempo attack in Cape Town against South Africa in their most recent Test, neither made the XI.

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.