Babar Azam said Mohammad Abbas was left out of Pakistan’s XI for the second West Indies Test purely because of conditions at Queen’s Park Oval. The decision came despite Abbas taking eight wickets in the opening match.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam said the team left out Mohammad Abbas for the second and final Test against the West Indies because the conditions at Queen’s Park Oval favored a different bowling combination. He dismissed speculation about an injury, saying the team selected its playing XI solely according to the match conditions.
Speaking to Ian Bishop at the toss, Babar said, “It was down to conditions,” as Pakistan reshaped their attack for the series decider in Port of Spain.
The call drew immediate attention because Abbas had been Pakistan’s standout bowler in the opening Test. The right-arm pacer claimed eight wickets in the match, including the seventh five-wicket haul of his Test career. Despite his impressive performance, Pakistan left him out after making four changes to the playing XI for the second Test.
Pakistan instead added spinner Sajid Khan and handed a Test debut to young fast bowler Ubaid Shah. Mohammad Ali kept his place as the other specialist seamer.
Strong recent returns
Abbas has been one of Pakistan’s most effective Test bowlers since returning to the side in December 2024. In five Tests, the 35-year-old has taken 28 wickets at an average of 20.32, making him Pakistan’s leading pace wicket-taker in that period.
His numbers on slower surfaces have also been strong. In six Tests in the UAE, Abbas has claimed 27 wickets at an average of 17.55. He was also Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in the recent Bangladesh series with 10 wickets at 23.80.Across his Test career, Abbas has a bowling average of 22.38. It is the best among Pakistan bowlers with significant careers, narrowly ahead of former captain Imran Khan’s 22.81.
Pakistan will next tour England for a three-match Test series. Abbas is expected to attract greater attention because of his impressive County Championship record with Nottinghamshire and Hampshire.He has taken 171 wickets there at an average of 20.49.
