Recent Tuesday Cricketer Babar Azam declared that he has decided to get retired as Pakistan cricket team’s Captain.
In a post on X, Babar Azam said: “I have decided to resign from Pakistan men’s cricket team’s Captaincy , conclusive as of my declaration notice to the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) and Team Management last month.
“It was a recognition for me to lead this team, but now I want to get retirement from this post so that I can put more attention on my playing role.”
He said that it was a “beneficial experience” as a Captain but it was actually tough for me to continue as a captain.
I want to focus on my performance, being more concerned about my batting, and want some leisure time with my family.
“By resigning, I will be more energetic and more clear on my game and clearly moving forward and also will be more focused on my personal growth,” he said.
Azam added that he was thankful for the sustained support and trust on him.
“Your devotion has meant a lot to me. I’m honoured of what we’ve gained together and happy to be the part of the team as a player.”
Babar reappeared to the captaincy of the men’s cricket team in March after the disclosure by Pakistan Cricket Board that he would be the captain of men’s team in ODIs and T20s as part of a “Critical move”.
Firstly captaincy was given to Babar in 2019 for T20s, then later in 2020 he lead the team for Test matches and ODIs.
Babar resigned from the captaincy in November last year, after discouraging performance of team in the Asia Cup and the 50-over World Cup. Shaheen Shah Afridi was made the T20 captain and Shan Masood was appeared as the team’s Test skipper.
Some sources revealed that Babar had expressed some terms to the PCB for taking up the cover again. Sources had said according to Babar it is superlative authority to be a captain and he wanted this post for two years, minimum. Moreover, the batsman wanted that he should not be held answerable by the PCB for the team’s performance in the T20 World Cup.
His name was withdrawn from the list of top 10 of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ranking for Test batsmen. He attained the position for approximately five years.
The prior skipper, who went through a harsh patch in the pattern, is securing number 11 in the ranking.
The right handed batter secured the position in top 10 in December 2019 after he made a victorious 102 in a Test against Sri Lanka, that was drawn later.
During this time, Babar Azam was expelled to the 10th position in the ranking twice — once in 2021 after he failed to made more than two runs against Zimbabwe and the other in Rawalpindi test series after the first Test against Bangladesh last month.
The highest point Babar held during this period was the second position during England’s visit to Pakistan in 2022 — a series that was entirely won by England.
