Babar Azam has resigned as Pakistan’s white-ball cricket captain for the second time in 11 months, citing a need to reduce his workload and focus on improving his game. His second stint as captain saw Pakistan lose seven matches and coincided with a poor run of his batting form. Babar initially stepped down from all three formats last year after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup, before returning as white-ball skipper earlier this year.
In a statement, Babar expressed gratitude for the opportunity but emphasized the need to prioritize his performance, enjoy his batting, and spend quality time with his family. Pakistan struggled under Babar’s leadership, winning just six of the 13 T20I matches played during his second stint. Despite efforts to regain form, Babar has not scored an international half-century in his last ten innings.
As Pakistan prepares to face England in a Test series starting on October 7, Babar has been named in the squad and backed by Test captain Shan Masood to deliver a strong performance. The Pakistan Cricket Board is expected to announce a new white-ball captain after the Test series, with Australia as the next opponent in ODI and T20 matches in November. The decision to step down as captain will allow Babar to refocus on his game and personal growth, aiming to return to peak form and lead Pakistan to success in the future.
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