Birmingham: Pakistan’s cricket crisis has deepened further ahead of the third Test against England, with captain Babar Azam reportedly down with fever amid sweeping changes to the team and coaching staff.
Pakistan are already 0-2 down in the three-Test series and are facing the prospect of a clean sweep. The latest setback comes after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made major changes to the Test squad, sending seven players home and altering the coaching structure ahead of the crucial third match.
According to NDTV, Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema confirmed to Geo News that Babar is suffering from feveralthough there is reportedly no reason for panic as the batter remains fit overall and is expected to recover quickly.
The development comes at a particularly difficult time for Babar, who is already under pressure following a disappointing performance in the second Test at Lord’s.
Babar struggled at Lord’s
Babar’s availability for the third Test will be closely monitored after he scored only eight and six in the second Test, which Pakistan lost by 194 runs.
The Pakistan captain had already missed the first Test because of injury, with Salman Ali Agha taking charge of the side in his absence. Babar returned for the second Test but could not make a significant impact with the bat as Pakistan suffered another heavy defeat.
The veteran batter had enjoyed a more productive tour of the West Indies before the England series. He scored 193 runs in two matchesincluding two half-centuries, as Pakistan drew the series 1-1.
However, his Test batting form remains a major talking point. Babar has not scored a Test century since his 161 against New Zealand in December 2022adding to the pressure surrounding his leadership and place in the side.
Pakistan make sweeping changes
The PCB’s decision to make extensive changes to the squad has created further uncertainty around the team.
Seven players have been released from the Test squad following Pakistan’s defeats in the opening two matches. The board has brought in five uncapped playersalong with Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who together have only 10 matches of international experience.
The five uncapped players added to the squad are Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah.
The drastic changes mean Pakistan will have to rebuild its combination midway through a Test series against an England side that has already established a 2-0 lead.
Coaching staff also reshuffled
The PCB has also made changes to the Test coaching set-up.
Mike Hesson, who is part of Pakistan’s white-ball coaching structure, and bowling coach Ashley Noffke have joined the Test coaching staff. The changes come as Pakistan attempt to prevent a 3-0 series defeat and restore stability to a team that has been under intense scrutiny.
The decision to alter both the playing group and coaching staff during an ongoing overseas series underlines the seriousness of the situation facing Pakistan cricket.
Misbah-ul-Haq offers resignation
The upheaval has also affected former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq.
According to the report, Misbah has offered his resignation from the Pakistan men’s national selection committee following the PCB’s decision to make major changes to the Test squad and coaching staff.
The PCB is yet to accept his resignation. Misbah has also decided to step down from his role as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
His decision adds another layer to the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s selection and administrative structure.
Third Test becomes crucial for Pakistan
The third Test against England has now assumed enormous importance for Pakistan.
With the series already lost, Pakistan will be playing to avoid a clean sweep. At the same time, the newly reshaped squad will need to adapt quickly despite having limited international experience.
The possible absence of Babar because of illness would add another complication. Although team management expects him to recover quickly, his condition will need to be monitored before the match.
For Pakistan, Babar’s presence carries significance beyond his batting. As captain, he is expected to provide leadership to a side that has undergone substantial changes in a very short period.
Pressure mounts on Babar
Babar’s latest health update comes at a time when his Test batting and leadership are already under scrutiny.
His return to Test captaincy had begun with mixed results. While his performances in the West Indies offered encouragement, the England series has quickly intensified questions surrounding his form.
The absence of a Test century for almost four years has further fuelled the debate, although his experience remains valuable to a Pakistan side now incorporating several inexperienced players.
The third Test could therefore become an important moment for Babar personally as well as for Pakistan’s rebuilding process.
Pakistan face uphill task
Pakistan’s immediate priority will be to stabilise the team before the third Test. The management must integrate new players, manage the fitness of key members and prepare a competitive combination against an England side that has already demonstrated its superiority in the first two matches.
Babar’s recovery will be one of the first developments to watch. If he is fit, Pakistan will hope their captain can rediscover his batting form and provide stability at the top of the order.
If he is unavailable, the team’s problems will become even more complicated.
For now, Pakistan remain in crisis management mode. The squad overhaul, coaching changes, selection controversy and Babar’s illness have combined to create one of the most turbulent phases of the team’s England tour.
The third Test will reveal whether Pakistan can respond to the upheaval or whether England complete a series whitewash.