Babar Azam, the skipper of Pakistan men’s cricket team, has announced his resignation from the white-ball captaincy, a decision that comes in the wake of a disappointing run for the national side. The announcement was made on Tuesday night (October 1), as Babar expressed his desire to focus more on his performance as a player and to alleviate the pressures associated with captaincy.
Reason for Babar Azam’s resignation
In a post shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Babar stated, “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.”
He elaborated that while leading the team had been an honour, it had also added significant workload that impacted his ability to enjoy his batting and spend quality time with family.
“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.”
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“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,” added the right-handed batter.
Babar’s resignation follows a tumultuous period for Pakistan cricket. After being reappointed as captain earlier this year following a brief stint under Shaheen Afridi, Babar faced challenges during international competitions. Under his leadership, Pakistan’s performance in the T20 World Cup was particularly disappointing, highlighted by an early exit after losses to co-hosts the USA and arch-rivals India.
Impact on Pakistan Cricket
Babar’s tenure saw him lead Pakistan in 43 ODIs and 85 T20Is since taking over in 2019. Despite some successes, including reaching the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup, recent performances have raised questions about the team’s direction. His resignation adds to the ongoing uncertainty regarding Pakistan’s leadership structure as they prepare for upcoming tours of Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now tasked with finding a new captain ahead of these crucial series. Notably, Pakistan haven’t played an ODI since the 2023 World Cup and there last T20I was against Ireland at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
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