London, September 1, 2026: Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has developed a fever ahead of the national team’s third and final Test against England, scheduled to be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, from September 9 to 13.
The development comes amid mounting pressure on the Pakistan camp following the team’s heavy 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord’s and the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) sweeping changes to the squad and coaching staff.
According to sources, Babar, who scored only eight and six runs in the Lord’s Test, has been experiencing a high fever at the team hotel and is under considerable pressure following Pakistan’s disappointing performance and the subsequent overhaul of the Test setup.
When contacted about the batter’s condition, Pakistan men’s cricket team media manager Naveed Akram Cheema initially confirmed that Babar had informed him about his illness.
Cheema, however, sought to allay concerns over the captain’s health, saying there was no reason for panic and that Babar was otherwise fit. He expressed confidence that the 31-year-old would recover soon.
The development follows a major shake-up by the PCB after Pakistan slipped to a 2-0 deficit in the three-match Test series. The board on Monday released Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Awais Zafar, Aamir Jamal, Ali Usman and Khurram Shahzad from the squad.
The PCB subsequently drafted in Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran, Razaullah, Mohammad Imran Jnr and Saad Baig for the final Test.
The board also released Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke have been brought in to replace them for the Birmingham Test.
Babar’s illness adds another concern to Pakistan’s preparations for the final match of the series, which the visitors must win to avoid a clean sweep by England.
Pakistan lost the opening Test by an innings and 103 runs before suffering another heavy defeat at Lord’s. The team has faced criticism over its batting performances, selection decisions and lack of consistency throughout the series.
The Pakistan camp will now hope that Babar makes a full recovery well before the third Test and is available to lead a significantly reshaped side in Birmingham.
