Babar Azam Steps Down as Pakistan Captain: In a surprise, star batter Babar Azam has quit as captain of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I teams. This is his second resignation in under a year. Babar announced his resignation on social media on October 2, 2024.
He cited the growing demands of captaincy as the main reason. His departure from the leadership role has sparked debate. It is about his form, future, and the direction of Pakistan cricket.
Babar Azam’s decision to resign as Pakistan’s captain is a turning point. It raises questions about leadership and the challenges of modern cricket.
Babar Azam Steps Down as Pakistan Captain For the Second Time
Babar Azam has resigned as Pakistan’s white-ball cricket captain. It’s his second resignation in 11 months. He wants to reduce his workload and improve his game. Babar gave up captaincy in all formats last year.
This was after Pakistan failed to reach the World Cup knockout stages in India. But he returned as white-ball captain in March, ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. There, Pakistan again fell short, failing to progress beyond the group stage.
In his second term as T20I captain, Babar led Pakistan to six wins out of 13 matches. Since the 2023 World Cup, Pakistan has not played a one-day international (ODI). Before Babar’s return, Shaheen Shah Afridi served as the captain of the T20 side for a short period.
They replaced him after a 4-1 series defeat to New Zealand. In March, Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the PCB, reinstated Babar as white-ball captain. His only series win was a narrow 2-1 victory over Ireland. Pakistan later drew 2-2 in a home T20 series against New Zealand.
They then lost 2-0 to England before the T20 World Cup. The tournament saw Pakistan face one of its biggest upsets, losing to the hosts and debutants, the USA. Pakistan will host England in a three-match Test series starting in Multan on October 7.
In November, they will tour Australia for ODI and T20 matches. Babar’s form with the bat has declined recently, with no international fifty in his last 10 innings. Test captain Shan Masood replaced Babar last November. He is confident Babar will find his form in the series.
The PCB will name a new white-ball captain after the Test series. Pakistan’s next task is a tour against ODI world champions Australia next month.
Babar Azam’s Full Statement
Babar Azam resigned as Pakistan’s captain in ODIs and T20Is on Wednesday. He announced it on social media. He said he informed the PCB and team management of his decision in September. Babar said the rising demands of captaincy were a major factor.
Stepping down would allow him to focus on improving his batting. This move comes after a recent dip in his form. Babar has fallen out of the top 10 in the ICC Test rankings. This is a rare setback in his otherwise outstanding career.
Babar said: “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 honor to lead this team, but it’s time for me to step down and focus on my playing role. 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. 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,”
A Look Babar Azam Career
Babar Azam debuted in Tests in 2016 against the West Indies. Since then, he has played 54 Tests. He scored 3,962 runs at a 54.63 strike rate. He debuted in ODIs in 2015 against Zimbabwe. Since then, he has played 117 ODIs, scoring 5,729 runs at a strike rate of 88.75.
In T20Is, Babar debuted in 2016 against England. He has played 123 matches, scoring 4,145 runs at a strike rate of 129.08.
FAQ
Who replaced Babar Azam?
Report Suggests Mohammad Rizwan, Not Shaheen Afridi, as Babar Azam’s Successor for Captaincy.
How many matches has Pakistan won under Babar Azam’s captaincy?
Under Babar Azam’s leadership, Pakistan won 84 matches in all formats. He is now the second-most successful captain in the nation, after the great Imran Khan.
Who is the new captain of the Pakistan cricket team in 2024?
Babar Azam was Pakistan’s all-format captain. He stepped down after a poor showing at the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi took over as T20I captain after his predecessor. But, the organization reappointed Babar to the role in March 2024. He regained the leadership.
Who is the best batsman in Pakistan?
Former captain and top-order batsman Younis Khan holds many Pakistan batting records. He is Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket, with 10,099 runs. He is the first and only Pakistani to surpass 10,000 runs in the format.
Conclusion
Babar Azam’s second resignation as Pakistan’s captain is a key moment. It affects his career and the team’s leadership. His decision may stem from the pressures of leadership. Or, it may be a strategy to focus on his performance.
Babar has helped Pakistan succeed. But, this change could signal a new direction for the team. It may allow new leaders to emerge. Babar’s impact as captain will shape Pakistan cricket’s recent history.