"The team has been selected keeping in mind the conditions of the UAE," chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said on Thursday.
Left-arm paceman Amir has taken 56 wickets in 19 tests since returning in 2016 from a five-year spot-fixing ban.
Rizwan has played just one test — against New Zealand in 2016 — but is in as backup for captain Sarfraz Ahmed.
The selectors have recalled left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz after he was dropped for this year's one-off test against Ireland and then ignored for the series in England.
Left-arm seamer Mir Hamza was the only uncapped player named. He has taken 278 wickets in 56 first-class matches.
Leg-spinners Yasir Shah and Shadab Khan were also included in the 17-strong squad, with the wickets likely to turn in the UAE.
The two-test series begins on Oct. 7 in Dubai, with Abu Dhabi hosting the second match from Oct. 16.
The test series will be followed by three Twenty20 matches.