In an unforeseen call, star batter Babar Azam stepped down as the captain of the white-ball teams of Pakistan. Babar took to social media on Wednesday to announce he was resigning from the post in ODIs and T20Is, adding that he had informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the team management of his decision in September.
Babar said captaincy added a ‘significant workload’ and that by stepping down, he would channel his energy into contributing to the team with the bat. The star batter’s decision shortly after he slipped out of the top 10 in the International Cricket Council Test rankings. Babar has been going through a rare lean patch in international cricket.
It is the second time in less than a year that Babar has resigned from the captaincy of the senior national men’s team. Babar stepped down as the captain of all three formats after Pakistan’s dismal performance in the ODI World Cup in India in October-November last month.
However, Babar was reinstated as the captain earlier this year following a change in the leadership of the PCB.
“Dear Fans, I am sharing some news with you today. I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, effective as of my notification to the PCB and Team Management last month,” Babar said in a late-night post on X, formerly Twitter.
“It’s been an honour to lead this team, but it’s time for me to step down and focus on my playing role. Captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but it’s added a significant workload. I want to prioritise my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family, which brings me joy.
“By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on my game and personal growth. “I’m grateful for your unwavering support and belief in me. Your enthusiasm has meant the world to me.
“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and excited to continue contributing to the team as a player. Thank you for your love and support,” he said.
More to follow…
