Pakistan skipper Babar Azam announced on Tuesday that he is stepping down from the white-ball captaincy to focus on his playing career and personal growth.
“By resigning, I hope to gain clarity and direct more energy toward my game and personal development,” the 29-year-old batter wrote on X.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had reappointed Babar as captain for T20Is and one-day internationals (ODIs) on March 31, after he previously resigned in November 2023 following a lengthy captaincy tenure.
“I’m sharing some news today: I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, effective from my notification to the PCB and Team Management last month,” Babar announced.
Reflecting on his time as captain, he acknowledged the rewarding yet demanding nature of the role. “I want to prioritize my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family, which brings me joy,” he said.
Expressing his gratitude for the support he has received, Babar looks forward to contributing to the team as a player.
This marks the second occasion Babar has stepped down from the national captaincy, having previously resigned amid criticism after Pakistan’s lackluster performances in the Asia Cup and a disappointing World Cup run, where the team failed to reach the semifinals.
