Babar Azam was dismissed for single-digit scores in the two innings of Lord's Test.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has developed a high fever as the team prepares for the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston.
The illness comes amidst unprecedented steps taken by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the wake of the team’s embarrassing defeats in the first two Tests at Headingley and Lord’s.
Speaking to Geo News, Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema shared the update on Babar’s illness, suggesting there is no need to panic as veteran batter remains otherwise fit. Babar is likely to recover quickly, with the touring management hoping he will be available for the Edgbaston Test.
Babar Azam missed the series opener in Leeds due to a finger injury as Salman Ali Agha led Pakistan in his absence to an innings and 103-run defeat. He returned for the must-win fixture at Lord’s, but failed to inspire the team with his performance.
Babar returned with scores of 8 and 6 across the two innings. In particular, the right-hander drew flak for his second innings dismissal as Jofra Archer bounced him out.
Pakistan went on to lose the Lord’s Test by 194 runs, thereby conceding an unassailable 2-0 lead to England in the three-match series.
Following the debacle, the PCB announced a sweeping mid-tour overhaul of its Test squad and coaching staff. The board released seven players from the touring party, including Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.
Seven new players were also called up ahead of the third Test, including five uncapped talents. The list features Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran, and Razaullah.
The PCB also sacked its coaching staff. Red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were relieved of their duties. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke have taken over the backroom responsibilities for the rest of the England tour.
The sweeping changes, made without proper consultation, prompted Misbah-ul-Haq to resign from the national selection committee in protest.
Former cricketers and experts have heavily lambasted the PCB, labeling the mid-series structural meltdown as absolute "circus" and "panic-driven chaos".