Babar Azam has stepped down as Pakistan’s captain for the second time in under a year, citing a desire to reduce his workload and focus more on his batting. In a detailed post on X, Babar revealed that he had informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) last month of his decision to relinquish the white-ball captaincy to “prioritise my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family.”
“I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team,” Babar’s statement read. “It has been an honour to lead the team, but it’s time for me to step down and focus on my role as a player. While captaincy has been a fulfilling experience, it has added considerable pressure.
“By stepping down, I can refocus and channel my energy into my game and personal development. I’m thankful for your constant support and belief in me. Your enthusiasm means a lot. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and look forward to contributing as a player. Thank you for all the love and support.”
Babar’s resignation follows six months after his reappointment as captain of Pakistan’s white-ball teams. He had previously stepped down as captain across all formats after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the ODI World Cup in India last year. Just four months later, he was reappointed as the T20I and ODI captain, replacing Shaheen Afridi, who had been interim T20I captain and was dismissed after just one series.
Babar’s first tenure as captain saw several successes, including series wins against South Africa across formats, an ODI series victory over Australia, and leading Pakistan to the semi-finals and final of consecutive T20 World Cups. However, his second stint was less successful, with Pakistan winning only six of 13 T20Is. Their T20 World Cup campaign ended in disaster, with early exits following defeats to the USA and India. Despite being named captain in both T20I and ODI formats, Babar did not lead any 50-over matches during his second term.
There has been no official response from the PCB regarding Babar’s resignation. Pakistan’s next white-ball series is scheduled for next month when they tour Australia for three T20Is and three ODIs.