Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam is reportedly sidelined with a high fever as the national team struggles during their ongoing tour of England. The health setback comes at a challenging time for the team, which has faced significant difficulties throughout the series.

Beyond his physical health, Azam is also facing scrutiny regarding his professional capabilities. Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali recently criticized the captain, suggesting that Azam’s reputation as a "great player" is largely a product of social media perception rather than on-field results. Ali’s comments reflect a growing trend of public and expert dissatisfaction with the team's recent performance under Azam's leadership.

While the reports confirm Azam's illness and the vocal criticism from Ali, there is no official statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding how long the captain might be out of action or how the team plans to adjust its strategy in his absence. The situation highlights the dual pressure currently facing the captain: managing a health crisis while navigating intense public and expert scrutiny during a period of poor team results.