In a late-night post on Tuesday, Babar Azam announced that he will be stepping down as the white-ball captain of Pakistan. He stepped down previously as captain after Pakistan’s poor show at the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
It was pacer Shaheen Afridi who replaced him as the T20I captain, however Babar got reappointed as the skipper in March 2024. However, his second tenure as the Pakistan captain was not successful at all as the side was knocked out of the group stages at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
The pressure has been mounting on Pakistan cricket in recent months, especially after their loss to Bangladesh in a Test series at home.
Amid this tough situation, Babar has announced that he will be stepping down as Pakistan’s white-ball captain. Here is his full tweet:
“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’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 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’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.”
