Babar Azam, the prolific Pakistani batsman, has relinquished his captaincy of the national white-ball teams for the second time in less than a year. In a heartfelt statement, Babar cited the need to prioritize his batting and reduce his workload as the primary reasons for his decision.
Babar’s first stint as captain, which began in 2019, was marked by several notable achievements. Under his leadership, Pakistan secured multi-format series victories over South Africa, an ODI series triumph against Australia, and reached the semi-finals and final of two consecutive T20 World Cups.
However, his second stint as captain, which commenced in April 2023, proved to be less successful. Pakistan managed to win only six out of 13 T20Is during this period, including a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign where they were eliminated in the first round after defeats to the USA and India.
In his resignation statement, Babar expressed his gratitude for the support he received during his tenure as captain. He emphasized that the decision to step down was made in the best interests of his personal growth and the team’s performance.
“It’s been an honor to lead this team, but it’s time for me to step down and focus on my playing role,” Babar said. “Captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but it’s added a significant workload. By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on my game and personal growth.”
Babar’s resignation has left a void in Pakistan’s white-ball leadership. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to announce a replacement, but the team’s next assignment is a tour of Australia in March, where they will play three T20Is and three ODIs.
