ISLAMABAD: Babar Azam said on Tuesday he had stepped down as the captain of Pakistan’s Twenty20 and one-day teams, saying he wanted to focus more on his role as a batsman.
Babar’s announcement came a week before Pakistan’s three-Test series against England, starting from Oct. 7. Babar was named in the 15-member squad.
Pakistan are also scheduled to have a white-ball tour of Australia in Nov., but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will have to name a new captain following Baber’s resignation.
“I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team,” Babar said on X late Tuesday.
“Captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but it’s added a significant workload. I want to prioritize my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family, which brings me joy.”
Babar said he was stepping down as Pakistan’s captain in all three formats in November last year after Pakistan's humiliating exit from the One-Day World Cup in India.
He was re-appointed in May this year and took over from Shaheen Shah Afridi after a change in the PCB chairmanship.
Babar led Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign in June, in which the Green Shirts suffered a humiliating loss to the United States and lost to arch-rivals India. The Pakistan side crashed out of the tournament in the first round.
“By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on my game and personal growth,” he said.
“I’m grateful for your unwavering support and belief in me. Your enthusiasm has meant the world to me.”