Pakistan captain Babar Azam down with fever ahead of third Test against England

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Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is down with a fever amid chaos around the shake-up within the men’s team ahead of the third Test against England at Edgbaston.

Team manager Naveed Akram Cheema verified the news that while the star batter was feeling unwell, there is no need for alarm as he remains in good overall health and is expected to recover swiftly.

This update comes as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a massive squad overhaul leading up to the final Test at Edgbaston starting September 9, where Pakistan will seek to prevent a 3-0 series sweep.

Babar managed scores of only eight and six at Lord’s as the visiting side slumped to a 194-run defeat. The Pakistan captain had missed the opening Test due to injury, leaving Salman Ali Agha to step in with the captaincy armband.

Selection chaos shakes up Pakistan cricket

Following back-to-back heavy losses against the Three Lions, the PCB opted to replace nearly half of their touring squad, while releasing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. White-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke have been called upon to join the Test setup.

Seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad, were released from the squad. In their place, five uncapped players, alongside Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, were drafted in.

Additionally, former captain Misbah-ul-Haq submitted his resignation from the selection panel following the PCB’s abrupt decision to alter the squad and coaching staff mid-tour. The board has also asked selectors to submit a written explanation within 24 hours on the initial selection of Rizwan and Imam.

The defeat at Lord’s marked Pakistan’s 15th loss in their past 20 Test matches, taking them to the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship standings. The final Test at Edgbaston gives Pakistan one last chance to claim a consolation victory in the series.

Pakistan squad for Birmingham Test against England: 

Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Ubaid Shah 

(With inputs from ANI)

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