Breaking: Babar Azam Steps Down as Pakistan Captain in All Formats
Babar Azam has stepped down from his role as Pakistan's captain across all formats, citing the need for a change following the team's disappointing performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-finals, securing only four wins in nine matches.
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) November 15, 2023
In a statement, Babar expressed his deep commitment to maintaining Pakistan's pride and respect in the cricket world during his four-year captaincy. He acknowledged the collective efforts of players, coaches, and management that led to Pakistan reaching the No. 1 spot in the white-ball format. Babar extended his gratitude to the passionate Pakistan cricket fans for their unwavering support throughout his captaincy.
Despite the difficult decision to step down, Babar emphasized that it was the right time for this call. He intends to continue representing Pakistan as a player in all three formats, offering his experience and dedication to support the new captain and the team. Babar thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board for entrusting him with the significant responsibility.
During the World Cup, Babar scored 320 runs in nine matches, ranking as the third-highest for Pakistan, with an average of 40 and a strike rate of 82.90.
While no official announcement has been made regarding a replacement, Shan Masood is speculated to be the frontrunner for the Test captaincy. Speculation around Babar's future had been mounting since Pakistan's exit from the World Cup, but deliberations on a potential replacement were complicated by uncertainties regarding the authority to make significant changes within the PCB setup.
Following a meeting at the PCB headquarters, Babar resigned without specifying a reason beyond feeling that it was the right time. The roles of team director Mickey Arthur and head coach Grant Bradburn are expected to be significantly reduced, with neither likely to be part of the contingent for Pakistan's upcoming tour to Australia
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