Among the four changes Pakistan made, it was revealed that Mohammad Abbas , their best bowler in the first Test, and their most consistent seamer, had been omitted. But at no point did the inclusion of Abbas, Pakistan's most prolific bowler in the first Test and most consistent seam bowler over the last year, ever appear in doubt. Babar dispelled the notion Abbas may have been carrying a niggle, confirming to Ian Bishop at the toss that it was "down to conditions" that Pakistan had decided to bench Abbas. In a straight shootout between Abbas and Ali, there appeared one obvious winner given Abbas' accuracy with line and length and consistency over an extended period of time. His career Test bowling average of 22.38 is the best for any Pakistan bowler, narrowly shading Imran Khan into second, who took his 362 wickets at 22.81.