Babar’s second stint on the captaincy noticed Pakistan lose seven matches and has coincided with a poor run of his batting kind.
Babar Azam has resigned as Pakistan’s white-ball cricket captain for a second time in 11 months, citing a necessity to minimize his workload and give attention to bettering his sport.
Babar stepped down as captain of all three codecs final yr after Pakistan didn’t make the knockout stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup in India, earlier than returning as white-ball skipper in March forward of the ICC T20 World Cup in america (USA) and West Indies, the place Pakistan didn’t make it previous the opening group stage.
“It’s been an honour to steer this staff, nevertheless it’s time for me to step down and give attention to my taking part in function,” Babar wrote in a publish on X on Tuesday.
“Captaincy has been a rewarding expertise, nevertheless it’s added a major workload. I need to prioritise my efficiency, take pleasure in my batting, and spend high quality time with my household, which brings me pleasure.
“By stepping down, I’ll acquire readability transferring ahead and focus extra vitality on my sport and private development.”
Pricey Followers,
I am sharing some information with you right this moment. I’ve determined to resign as captain of the Pakistan males’s cricket staff, efficient as of my notification to the PCB and Group Administration final month.
It has been an honour to steer this staff, nevertheless it’s time for me to step down and focus…
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) October 1, 2024
Pakistan received simply six of the 13 Twenty20 worldwide (T20I) matches they performed below Babar in his second stint. Pakistan haven’t performed a one-day worldwide (ODI) match for the reason that 2023 World Cup.
Shaheen Shah Afridi led Pakistan briefly within the T20 format however was faraway from the captaincy after Pakistan misplaced 4-1 to New Zealand.
Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), reappointed Babar as white-ball captain in March, however he might solely win a bilateral collection towards Eire 2-1.
Pakistan drew the house T20 collection towards New Zealand 2-2 earlier than shedding 2-0 to England simply earlier than the Twenty20 World Cup, the place the 2009 champions have been concerned within the event’s largest upset after they have been crushed by hosts and debutants USA.
Pakistan will host England in three Checks beginning Monday, earlier than travelling to Australia for ODI and T20 matches in November.
Babar has seen a dip in his batting kind throughout all codecs and has failed to attain a world fifty in his final 10 innings.
The 29-year-old has been named in Pakistan’s squad to face England in a three-match Take a look at collection, which begins in Multan on October 7.
Take a look at captain Shan Masood, who took over when Babar give up in November, has backed Babar to be among the many runs within the upcoming collection.
“Everyone knows Babar is among the prime batters on the earth and regardless of not scoring massive runs the nice factor is that he’s not off form, we have now to again him,” Masood mentioned in his pre-series information convention on Monday.
The PCB is anticipated to call a brand new skipper after the Take a look at collection as Pakistan’s subsequent white-ball tour will likely be towards 50-over world champions Australia subsequent month.
