The Test series against England in November last year had a moment of epiphany for Pakistan. The team finally realized they could tailor the home conditions to their strength/liking. What followed this realization was a strategy to dish out their industrial-sized fans and desiccate any moisture out of the surfaces in a bid to make them suit the team’s spin finesse. For the Test games against West Indies, Pakistan seem to be planning to follow the same script, as is evident by the spin-heavy squad they have announced for the tour.
The hosts have dropped Naseem Shah and Mohammad Abbas, their frontline pacers during the South Africa tour, and have opted not to call Shaheen Shah Afridi back to the squad, who has not played any long format games following the first Test against England last year. In addition to them, young fast bowler Mir Hamza and pace all-rounder Aamer Jamal have also been rested.
In their stead, Abrar Ahmed, Sajid Khan, and Noman Ali got called back to the team. The trio will lead the spin attack, complemented by the less-experienced pacers, including Mohammad Ali and uncapped Kashif Ali. Khurram Shehzad, the only pacer retained from the squad that visited South Africa a few weeks ago, will join these two to form the team’s pace attack. As per the media release by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the decision to rest the pacers was made to manage the pacers’ workload.
“As part of workload management, the pace quartet of Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza, and Naseem Shah has been rested. In their place, the selectors have retained Khurram Shahzad, recalled Mohammad Ali, and included uncapped Kashif Ali.”
Abdullah Shafique, who has consistently struggled to find form lately, has been dropped from the side. With Saim Ayub already out of the mix following a fracture in his ankle, Pakistan had to draft two new openers. Mohammad Huraira, who averages an impressive 48.95 in first class, has been added to the squad and is in the frame to make his debut against West Indies. Besides him, a more experienced opener, Imam ul Haq, will also make his way back to the team, having not played any Test games since December 2023.
Rohail Nazir will be Mohammad Rizwan’s understudy in the absence of Haseebullah Khan, who picked up an injury during the Cape Town Test.
“In the absence of wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah, who sustained a split in his right-hand webbing during the Cape Town Test, former Pakistan U19 and Shaheens’ captain Rohail Nazir has been added to the squad.” the PCB media release announced.
Pakistan will play two Test games versus West Indies as part of their last series in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The series is scheduled to begin on January 17 in Multan.
Pakistan squad for the West Indies Tests:
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 (wicketkeeper/batter), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper/batter), Sajid Khan, and Salman Ali Agha.
