Babar Azam has resigned as Pakistan's white-ball captain for the second time in less than a year, citing the need to reduce his workload and concentrate on his batting. Announcing the decision on X, Babar expressed his desire to prioritize his performance, enjoy his role as a player, and spend more time with his family.
"It’s been an honor to lead this team, but I’ve decided to step down to focus on my playing role," Babar wrote. "Captaincy has been a rewarding but demanding experience. By stepping down, I hope to channel my energy into my game and personal growth while continuing to contribute to the team's success."
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the resignation, praising Babar's professionalism and his commitment to Pakistan cricket. "This decision reflects Babar’s desire to have a greater impact as a player," the PCB said. "We commend his contributions as captain and look forward to his continued excellence as a world-class batter and senior team member."
Babar’s decision comes just six months after being reappointed as the T20I and ODI captain, following an earlier resignation after Pakistan's poor ODI World Cup campaign in India last year. His second tenure, however, proved challenging, with Pakistan winning only six of 13 T20Is and suffering a disastrous T20 World Cup campaign, including shocking defeats to the USA and India. Notably, during this stint, Babar did not captain any ODI games.
Despite his mixed captaincy record, Babar’s first tenure had notable highlights, including multi-format series wins against South Africa and Australia and runs to the semi-final and final of two T20 World Cups.
Pakistan’s next white-ball series will take place next month in Australia, where they are scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is.
Updated on 1st October, 2024