In his second stint as captain, Babar had replaced Afridi who led Pakistan in one series against New Zealand. (File)
Babar Azam on late Tuesday night announced that he was stepping down as Pakistan captain in the white-ball format. He had stepped down last year from the role as well after Pakistan’s subpar World Cup 2023 campaign but was reappointed the skipper in 2024 when he replaced Shaheen Shah Afridi.
“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,” Babar said to his fans in a lengthy X post.
“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,” he added.
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…
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) October 1, 2024
“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,” Babar said at the end of the post.
In his second stint as captain, Babar had replaced Afridi who led Pakistan in one series against New Zealand. Babar was reappointed keeping an eye on the 2024 T20 World Cup co-hosted in West Indies and the United States.
However, despite the change Pakistan had poor returns at the showpiece event. They lost to the associate nation United States and eventual champions India and failed to qualify for the next round.
