Chemar Holder and Shamarh Brooks have been recalled to a West Indies 17-man provisional squad for their two-Test Betway Series against Pakistan that begins on Thursday (August 12) at Sabina Park in Kingston.

Both players last represented the West Indies against New Zealand in late 2020 but missed out on subsequent series against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, there is no place for left-hand batsman Darren Bravo or tear-away fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, who are both being given time off.

“Chemar Holder returns, having recovered from his injury. He will bolster the fast bowling department. Shamarh Brooks batted his way into the provisional squad by scoring an accomplished century. He will certainly add some depth to the squad’s batting,” said Chief Selector Roger Harper.

Harper said Gabriel, the injury-prone fast bowler, was being given time to fully recuperate from recent injuries.

“Shannon Gabriel has been given time to rehab fully and build his conditioning, so he was not part of the preparations for the Test series against Pakistan, which included the Best v Best game. Darren Bravo has been part of the ‘bubble’ from the preparation camp leading into the Betway Test series against South Africa and has been given a break,” Harper said.

“I expect the team to be highly competitive in every department while playing with passion, purpose and determination. I look forward to the batsmen stepping up as they did in the series against Bangladesh and against Sri Lanka earlier this year in Antigua.”

Jayden Seales, who impressed on debut against Sri Lanka, retains his place in the squad as does opening batsman Kieran Powell. Kraigg Brathwaite will continue to lead team despite poor performances with the bat against Sri Lanka.

The two-match Betway Test Series will be played at Sabina Park from August 12-16 and August 20-24. The Betway Test Series forms the first of six Series in the new cycle of the International Cricket Council World Test Championship to find the best Test match cricket team in the world.

FULL SQUAD: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Rahkeem Cornwall, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, and Jomel Warrican