“It’s been an honor to lead this team, but…”: Babar resigns as Pakistan white-ball captain
Babar Azamthe captain of Pakistan’s men’s cricket team, has announced his resignation as captain of the white ball, a decision taken after the national team’s disappointment. The announcement was made on Tuesday night (October 1), as Babar expressed his desire to focus more on his performance as a player and reduce the pressure that comes with being a captain.
The reason for Babar Azam’s resignation
In a letter shared on social networking site X (formerly Twitter), Babar said, “Dear fans, I am sharing some news today. I have decided to resign as the captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, effective from my notice to the PCB and Team Management last month.”
He stated that although leading the team was an honor, it also added a lot of work which affected his ability to enjoy batting and spend quality time with his family.
“It was an honor to lead this team, but it is time for me to step down and focus on my playing. Captaincy was a rewarding experience, but it added significant work. I want to put my performance first, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family, which brings me joy.”
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“By stepping down, I will be clear about moving forward and focus more energy on my game and personal growth. I appreciate your unwavering support and belief in me. Your enthusiasm means the world to me. I am proud of what we have achieved together and I am excited to continue to contribute to the team as a player. Thank you for your love and support,” add the right hand dough.
Babar’s resignation follows a difficult period for Pakistan cricket. After being re-appointed as captain at the beginning of this year it follows a short time Shaheen AfridiBabar faced challenges during international tournaments. Under his leadership, Pakistan’s performance in the T20 World Cup was very disappointing, highlighted by the an early exit after losses to co-hosts USA and arch-rivals India.
Impact on Pakistan Cricket
Babar’s tenure has seen him lead Pakistan in 43 ODIs and 85 T20Is since taking over in 2019. Despite some successes, including reaching the finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup, recent performances have raised questions about the direction of the team. His resignation adds to the ongoing uncertainty about Pakistan’s leadership structure as they prepare for the upcoming tours of Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now tasked with finding a new captain ahead of this crucial series. Notably, Pakistan has not played an ODI since the 2023 World Cup and the last T20I was against Ireland in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
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