Babar Azam Resigns as Captain of Pakistan Cricket Team

Babar Azam on Wednesday announced his decision to step down from his role as the captain of the national cricket team from all formats, bringing an end to his years-long stint as the leader, a move that came after Pakistan’s disappointing World Cup campaign this year.

The now-former captain had been facing scrutiny for several months, with criticism intensifying after Pakistan’s lackluster performance in the Asia Cup, a trend that persisted into the World Cup, culminating in an early exit before reaching the semi-finals.

The significant announcement followed Babar’s meeting with Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Sources revealed to Geo News that during the meeting, Babar was offered the captaincy for the Test format, an offer he declined.

Reflecting on his journey as captain in the white-ball format, Babar recalled the “vivid” moment of his initial appointment, acknowledging the weight of the significant role.

“Over the past four years, I’ve experienced many highs and lows both on and off the field, but I passionately aimed to uphold Pakistan’s pride and respect in the cricket world,” shared Babar in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Babar Azam commended the collective effort of the team in achieving the top-ranking in ODIs. “Reaching the number 1 spot in the white-ball format was a result of the collective efforts of players, coaches, and management but I’d like to express my gratitude to passionate Pakistan cricket fans for their unwavering support during this journey.”

Babar also pledged his continued support for the new captain. “I will continue to represent Pakistan as a player in all three formats. I am here to support the new captain and the team with my experience and dedication.”

Babar thanked PCB for entrusting him with the significant responsibility. “I want to express my sincere thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board for entrusting me with this significant responsibility.”

Read more: PCB Announces New Captains for Test and T20I Cricket.

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