Babar Azam Faces Fever as Pakistan Prepares for Crucial Test Against England

Pakistan's cricket captain Babar Azam is currently battling a fever as the team prepares for a crucial Test against England at Edgbaston. Amidst this health concern, the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced significant changes to the squad, including the release of several players and the introduction of new talent. With hopes of avoiding a series whitewash, the team is looking to bounce back after heavy defeats in the first two Tests. This article delves into the latest developments, including Babar's performance and the implications of the squad overhaul. Stay tuned for more insights on this evolving situation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 2, 2026, 01:26 IST

Babar Azam's Health and Team Changes Ahead of Edgbaston Test

Islamabad [Pakistan], September 2: Pakistan's captain Babar Azam is currently battling a fever amidst significant changes within the men's cricket team as they gear up for the third Test against England at Edgbaston, as reported by a local news outlet.

Team manager Naveed Akram Cheema reassured that while Babar is unwell, there is no cause for alarm, as he is expected to recover swiftly.

This situation arises as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a substantial overhaul of the team ahead of the Test starting September 9, with hopes of avoiding a series whitewash.

In the previous match at Lord's, Babar scored only eight and six runs, contributing to Pakistan's 194-run defeat. He had missed the first Test due to injury, with Salman Ali Agha stepping in as captain.

During the West Indies tour, Babar performed well, accumulating 193 runs across two matches, including two half-centuries, leading to a drawn series. However, his return as Test captain has had a rocky start.

Since scoring 161 against New Zealand in December 2022, Babar has not reached three figures in Test matches.

In preparation for the final Test against England, Pakistan has made significant alterations to their squad, replacing nearly half of the team and parting ways with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul after two heavy losses, according to reports.

Following a 194-run defeat in the second Test, which gave England a 2-0 lead in the series, the PCB has released seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, and Salman Agha.

Five uncapped players have been introduced to the squad, alongside Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who collectively have only ten matches of experience. The new additions include Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, and Razaullah. Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, who are part of the white-ball coaching team, will also join the Test coaching staff.

Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq has tendered his resignation from the national selection committee following the PCB's decision to implement major changes to the Test squad and coaching staff during the ongoing England tour.

Reports indicate that the PCB has yet to accept Misbah's resignation, and he has also chosen to step down from his role as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

Misbah, who was Pakistan's most successful Test captain until his retirement in 2017, has held various roles within the PCB over the years, including head coach and chief selector.

In 2023, he returned to the PCB as an advisor and was appointed as one of five mentors for the upcoming men's Champions Cup in 2024.

Last month, he led the Pakistan Gold team to victory in the 50-over National Champions Cup in Multan.

Misbah was appointed to the national selection committee in March this year, alongside Aaqib Javed, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Asad Shafiq.

He was under a contract requiring him to serve as a batting consultant for 180 days annually.

The PCB has sought clarification from selectors regarding the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq.

A notice was issued on the same day the board announced the dismissal of seven players and two coaches ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston.

The selection committee has been asked to provide a written explanation within 24 hours, detailing the rationale behind Rizwan and Imam's selections.

From the beginning of 2024 until the West Indies tour, Rizwan was Pakistan's top Test run-scorer and had the highest batting average on the team. Imam, while having played only two Tests during that time, was among the leading run-scorers in domestic cricket.

The loss at Lord's marked Pakistan's 15th defeat in their last 20 Tests, placing them at the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings. The third Test is set to commence at Edgbaston on September 9, with Pakistan aiming to conclude the series positively and avoid a 3-0 clean sweep.

Pakistan's squad for the Birmingham Test against England includes: 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.