Babar Azam steps down again as Pakistan's ODI and T20I captain

In a major decision, star batter Babar Azam has once again stepped down as captain of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I teams. In a social media post on Wednesday, Babar announced that he had informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and team management of his decision in September. Citing the heavy workload that came with leading the national team, Babar shared that he wants to focus more on his batting and personal life.

This is the second time in less than a year that Babar has relinquished the captaincy. Following Pakistan's disappointing performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Babar resigned from all three formats, only to be reinstated as the white-ball captain in March 2024. However, after another challenging T20 World Cup in 2024, where Pakistan failed to advance past the group stage, Babar has once again chosen to step aside.

Workload and personal growth

Babar Azam addressed his fans on X (formerly Twitter), explaining that the decision to step down as captain was difficult but necessary. "Captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but it has added a significant workload," Babar said. He emphasized that by stepping down, he could channel his energy into performing better as a player. Babar also mentioned his desire to spend more quality time with his family.

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 honour to lead this team, but it's time for me to step down and focus…

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) October 1, 2024

Babar has been facing a rare lean patch in his career, recently slipping out of the top 10 in the ICC Test rankings. His decision to resign comes after attending the Strategic Connection Camp, a workshop in September aimed at planning the future of Pakistan cricket. Senior players like Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan were also present, alongside coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie.

Pakistan's recent struggles and leadership changes

Pakistan's performance in the T20 World Cup was underwhelming, as they were eliminated in the group stage after losses to India and the USA. Throughout the tournament, rumors of a rift in the dressing room and clashes with head coach Gary Kirsten added to the team’s struggles.

This resignation marks yet another chapter in the recent musical chairs of Pakistan's leadership. Babar had previously stepped down in November 2023, following Pakistan's poor ODI World Cup campaign. Shaheen Afridi was appointed as T20I captain but was sacked after just one series. Babar returned to the helm in March 2024 but has now stepped down once again after Pakistan’s struggles in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Future of Pakistan cricket

Pakistan has not played an ODI since their World Cup exit in November 2023 and has not played any T20Is since June 2024. The team is now gearing up for a three-match Test series against England in October, led by Test captain Shan Masood. However, Masood has also been under scrutiny after Pakistan's surprising home series defeat to Bangladesh.

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Babar’s decision to resign could open the door for new leadership and a possible reshuffling of the team’s strategy as Pakistan looks to rebuild after a series of disappointing international campaigns. It remains to be seen who will step into Babar’s shoes as the permanent ODI and T20I captain moving forward.

Babar Azam’s decision to step down from his captaincy role is a significant moment for Pakistan cricket. After a challenging year with leadership changes and underwhelming performances, Babar’s choice to focus on his batting could benefit both him and the team. As Pakistan looks to rebuild and strategize for the future, all eyes will be on who will take up the mantle of leadership in the white-ball formats.