Babar Azam surrendered as Pakistan’s white-ball captain on Tuesday, stating he wished to concentrate on his playing duty in the future suits, batter stated on social media sites website X.
“I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team. It’s been an honour to lead this team, but it’s time for me to step down and focus on my playing role,” Azam, re-appointed captain in May this year, tweeted late on Tuesday.
Azam’s resignation came a week prior to Pakistan’s three-match Test collection versus England, beginning in Multan on October 7, in which he was called in the 15-man team.
Shan Masood will certainly lead the Test side.
Pakistan likewise have a white-ball trip of Australia following month where Azam resulted from lead the side, now Pakistan Cricket Board will certainly need to call a brand-new captain.
“Captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but it’s added a significant workload. I want to prioritise my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family, which brings me joy.
“By tipping down, I will certainly get quality moving on and concentrate even more power on my video game and individual development.”
Azam, who turns 30 in a fortnight, was sacked as captain of all three formats in November last year following Pakistan’s first-round exit from the ODI World Cup held in India.
After a change in the Pakistan Cricket Board chairmanship, with Mohsin Naqvi replacing Zaka Ashraf, Azam was re-instated as white-ball skipper in May, taking over from Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Azam led Pakistan’s disastrous Twenty20 World Cup campaign — co-hosted by the United States and the West Indies — in June in which they were upset by the United States and lost to arch-rivals India to go out in the first round.
Azam has led Pakistan in 20 Tests, 43 ODIs and 85 T20Is since being first appointed skipper for the first time in 2019.
Azam said he remained thankful for the opportunity to lead the country.
“I’m thankful for your steadfast assistance and idea in me. Your excitement has actually indicated the globe to me. I’m happy with what we have actually accomplished with each other and thrilled to proceed adding to the group as a gamer,” he created.
sh/pb
