LONDON: Pakistan captain Babar Azam is fit for the third Test against England, which start on 9 September at Edgbaston.

There were several reports claiming that Babar was suffering from a fever. However, sources have said that Babar is fully fit, and that there are no concerns about his health.

The Pakistan squad, led by Babar, arrived at Pakistan House in London as part of their scheduled activities. The reports about Babar’s health emerged following Pakistan’s defeat in the second Test against England at Lord’s.

For the unversed, the PCB made sweeping changes to the red-ball set-up following Pakistan’s heavy defeats in the first two Tests of the three-match series against England, with seven players and two members of the coaching staff released ahead of the final Test at Edgbaston, scheduled to begin on September 9.

Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad have been sent back to Pakistan.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

They have been replaced by Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Mohammad Imran Jr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah for the remainder of the tour.

The coaching structure has also been reshaped, with red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul released from their respective positions.

White-ball head coach Mike Hesson has taken over the Test coaching responsibilities, while Ashley Noffke has been appointed as bowling coach.

The PCB’s decisions have triggered criticism from several former players and prominent figures in international cricket, particularly over the timing of the changes and the lack of continuity in Pakistan’s red-ball set-up.

Updated Pakistan squad for third Test against England

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper) Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.

READ: Misbah-ul-Haq resigns from PCB selection committee: sources