What Led to Babar Azam’s Decision to Step Down from Captaincy?

News Desk

Lahore: Pakistan’s ace batsman Babar Azam has relinquished his captaincy in the white-ball formats of cricket to manage his workload, enhance his batting performance, and spend quality time with his family.

Babar’s second stint as captain of the T20I and ODI teams lasted nearly six months and was marked by an unceremonious early exit from the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the US and West Indies. He had not yet led the team in an ODI after being reinstated as captain by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Babar submitted his resignation on Tuesday evening, which has been accepted.

“Dear Fans, I’m 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.

It has been an honor 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 has added a significant workload. I want to prioritize 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 am 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,” Babar wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The decision to resign had been brewing for over a month but was finalized on Tuesday. Babar Azam appeared to have the backing of head coach Gary Kirsten during the PCB’s “Connection Camp,” but other factors influenced his decision to step down.

The PCB has reaffirmed its commitment to support Babar Azam in the future. The selection committee will begin formulating strategies for white-ball cricket, including recommending a new captain.

“Although the PCB had backed Babar Azam as the white-ball captain, his decision to step down reflects his desire to focus more on making a greater impact as a player. This decision is a testament to his professionalism and commitment to Pakistan cricket.

He believes that dedicating himself fully to his batting will enable him to play a more decisive role in the team’s success in the shorter formats.

The PCB acknowledges Babar’s contributions as white-ball captain, his ability to prioritize the team’s needs, and his unwavering dedication to Pakistan cricket.

The PCB will continue to support Babar Azam, recognizing he still has much to offer as a world-class batter and a senior statesman of the team,” the PCB stated in a press release.

“While it has been a great honor to lead Pakistan, now is the right time to shift my complete focus to batting, support the team’s objectives during this transitional phase, and back the new captain and emerging players as we prepare for a crucial season ahead, including the defense of the ICC Champions Trophy on home soil next year,” Babar Azam said in a statement attributed to him by the PCB.