Babar Azam has stepped down as captain of the Pakistan white-ball cricket team for the second time in less than a year. Citing the need to reduce his workload and focus more on his batting, Babar announced his decision in a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter). He informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of his resignation last month, expressing his intention to “prioritize my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family.”
In his statement, Babar said, “I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team. It’s been an honor to lead this team, but it’s time for me to step down and focus on my playing role.” He acknowledged the rewarding nature of the captaincy but noted that it had significantly increased his workload. By stepping down, Babar aims to gain clarity and channel more energy into his game and personal growth. He expressed gratitude for the support he received, stating, “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and excited to continue contributing to the team as a player.”
Babar’s resignation comes nearly six months after he was reappointed as captain of the T20I and ODI sides. He initially stepped down from all formats following Pakistan’s disappointing performance at the ODI World Cup in India late last year. His second tenure has been less successful, with the team winning only six of 13 T20Is and facing a disastrous T20 World Cup campaign, where defeats to the USA and India led to an early exit.
The PCB has yet to respond to Babar’s resignation. Pakistan’s next white-ball assignment is a series against Australia, featuring three T20Is and three ODIs next month.
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