Decision comes after PCB reportedly offered him to be captain of only Test format after World Cup humiliation.
It’s official! Babar Azam steps down as captain from all formats. Babar Azam Wednesday announced stepping down as the skipper of the national side from all formats, ending his years-long stint in the leading position, following a humiliating World Cup campaign.
The now-former skipper was under fire for several months after Pakistan failed to perform in the Asia Cup and continued the same momentum into the World Cup — where they crashed out before reaching the semis.
“Today, I am stepping down as the captain of Pakistan in all formats. It’s a difficult decision but I feel it is [the] right time for this call,” Babar said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.
“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,” he noted.
Babar made the major announcement just moments after he met Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, where, sources told a private news channel, he was offered to remain the team’s skipper in Tests, but he refused.
Recalling the first time he was appointed as captain for the white-ball format, Babar said he “vividly” remembers the moment when he got a call from the PCB to lead the national side.
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“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 said.
Babar, despite being just 29 years old, has had an illustrious career, and he remained the top-ranked ODI batter for more than two years. The ex-skipper was the only batter to achieve the top three positions across all formats.
The batter said reaching the number 1 spot in the white-ball format was a result of the collective efforts of players, coaches, and management.
“But I’d like to express my gratitude to passionate Pakistan cricket fans for their unwavering support during this journey,” he said in the statement.
The skipper also expressed his “sincere thanks” to the cricket board for entrusting him with this significant responsibility.
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