Babar Azam quits from Pakistan white-ball captaincy for second time in less than a year

Babar Azam was re-appointed as the Pakistan white-ball captain earlier this year.

Veteran cricketer Babar Azam stepped down from the white-ball captaincy of the Pakistan men’s senior cricket team for the second time in less than a year.

Babar’s resignation comes after his side’s poor performances at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June in the United States of America (USA) and West Indies. The Men in Green were eliminated in the group stage after suffering crushing defeats at the hands of the USA and the Indian cricket team.

Last year, Babar stepped down from leadership responsibility in white-ball cricket, and was sacked as the test skipper, after Pakistan failed to reach the final of the Asia Cup and the semi-final of the World Cup.

However, he was given back his captaincy in the white-ball formats in March this year with a view to the T20 World Cup. Shaheen Afridi, who was the T20I captain, was sacked after just one T20I series loss.

Want to prioritise my performance: Babar Azam

Babar Azam took to the social media handle ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to make the announcement public regarding his stepping down from the white-ball captaincy. The 29-year-old added that he wanted to prioritize his performance as a batsman, lessen his workload, and spend some quality time with his family.

“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’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,” Babar Azam wrote.

He has hit only three international centuries across formats since the start of 2023.

The veteran cricketer further said that his resignation from the white-ball captaincy will give him more energy to focus on his “personal growth.”

“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,” Azam concluded.

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