Pakistan’s Babar Azam said on Wednesday he was stepping down as cricket captain in all formats of the game, days after the Green Shirts crashed out of the World Cup in India.
Babar made the announcement on X and did not provide a reason for his decision, which came after a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board interim management committee chairman Zaka Ashraf.
The last few days were rife with speculation in Pakistani media and cricketing circles that Azam would either resign or be sacked following the team’s failure to reach the semifinals with five defeats — including a seven-wicket mauling by India in front of more than 100,000 fans — and four wins. The team also lost to Afghanistan for the first time.
This is the fifth time in the last six World Cups that Pakistan failed to reach the semifinals. “Over the past four years, I’ve experienced many highs and lows on and off the field, but I wholeheartedly and passionately aimed to maintain Pakistan’s pride and respect in the cricket world,” Babar wrote on X, saying he had reached the number 1 spot in the white-ball format due to the “collective” efforts of players, coaches, management and passionate Pakistan cricket fans.
Babar was appointed T20I and ODI captain in 2019 before eventually captaining the Test side since 2020.
“Today, I am stepping down as the captain of Pakistan in all formats. It’s a difficult decision but I feel it is a right time for this call,” the batter said.
“I will continue to represent Pakistan as a player in all three formats. I am here to support the new captain and the team with my experience and dedication.”
