Cricketer Babar Azam of Pakistan announced his resignation as the team’s captain for all three formats four days after Pakistan was eliminated from the World Cup.
Babar took over as captain of Pakistan in October 2019 and went on to become the team’s top scorer in ODIs in May of the same year. Five of Pakistan’s nine games had ended in losses, including a shocking loss to Afghanistan that raised questions about the team’s leadership and management.
This announcement was made just a few days after rumors circulated that the PCB was thinking of firing all of the foreign coaches.
“Today, I am stepping down as captain of Pakistan from all formats. It’s a difficult decision but I feel this is right time for this call,” Babar wrote in his statement, posted on X. “I will continue to represent Pak as a player in all three formats. I am here to support the new captain and the team with my experience and dedication. I want to express my sincere thanks to Pak Cricket Board for entrusting me with this significant responsibility, he added. “I vividly remember the moment when I received the call from the PCB to lead Pak in 2019. Over the past four years, I’ve experienced many highs and lows on and off the field,” said Azam. But I wholeheartedly and passionately aimed to maintain Pakistan’s pride and respect in the cricket world.”
Due to intense criticism of his leadership style and team selection methodology—of which many players said was biased toward them—Babar Azam announced his resignation.
Players said that Imam-ul-Haq, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz were among Babar’s exclusive group of players. The World Cup roster was allegedly chosen at the former chairman Inzamam-ul-Haq’s and captain Babar Azam’s suggestion.
Shan Masood will now lead the Pakistani side in their next three-match test series in Australia in lieu of Babar Azam, the team’s former captain. Shaheen Afridi is set to assume leadership of the Pakistan T-20 team, as confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Prior to the World Cup in India, Babar Azam was regarded as the best batsman in the world, but he was unable to make significant runs, ending with 320 over nine games without a century. In his 20 Test matches as Pakistan’s captain, Azam won 10, lost 6, and drew the remaining 4.
Pakistan has won 26, lost 16, and one ODI ended in a tie. Azam guided Pakistan to a runners-up position in 2022 and a semi-final appearance in the T20 World Cup in the shortest format. He had 41 victories, 23 losses, and seven no outcomes in 71 T20Is.
