Babar Azam Steps Down, Rizwan and Rauf to Take Charge

Babar Azam has officially resigned as the white-ball

captain, citing the need to reduce his workload

and focus on his batting performance

News Desk

Lahore: Pakistan’s star cricketer, Babar Azam, has officially stepped down as white-ball captain. He cited the need to reduce his workload and focus more on improving his batting. This marks the second time in just 11 months that he has resigned from the role.

Babar Azam’s Remarkable Career and Leadership

Widely regarded as one of the world’s best batsmen, Babar Azam made his international debut in 2015. Since then, he quickly rose to prominence and became a key player for Pakistan. Under his captaincy, the team achieved significant victories and, at one point, reached the No. 1 spot in the ICC T20I rankings.

Initially appointed as T20I captain in 2019, Babar later took charge of all formats. Although Babar managed to secure important wins, his leadership faced challenges in major tournaments. For instance, Pakistan’s early exit from the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC T20 World Cup increased the pressure on him.

After stepping down from all formats last year, Babar returned as white-ball captain in March, thanks to the reappointment by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. However, Pakistan’s inconsistent performances continued, as evidenced by their losses to England and the shocking defeat against the USA in the T20 World Cup.

Gary Kirsten’s Influence on Captaincy

Meanwhile, Gary Kirsten, Pakistan’s white-ball coach, played a crucial role in discussions about Babar’s captaincy. Kirsten, a World Cup-winning coach, visited Pakistan in July for World Cup preparations and actively engaged in conversations with Babar about his future.

Although Kirsten supported Babar in continuing as ODI captain, he advocated for a new leader for the T20 squad. His reasoning was to bring fresh leadership that could help Pakistan tackle future T20 challenges. Nonetheless, Babar ultimately decided to step down from both captaincy roles, despite Kirsten’s backing.

Reasons for Babar’s Resignation

In a post on X, Babar explained his decision, noting that the demands of captaincy had added significant pressure. As a result, the workload was impacting his performance and personal life. Additionally, Babar felt increasingly distanced from key team decisions following the World Cup, which contributed to his choice.

By stepping down, Babar aims to focus fully on his batting and also spend more time with his family. The PCB accepted his decision and praised his professionalism. According to the PCB, they believe that Babar will have an even greater impact on the team by concentrating on his playing role.

What’s Next for Pakistan Cricket?

Looking ahead, Mohammad Rizwan is expected to take over as white-ball captain, while Haris Rauf is likely to lead the T20 squad. These leadership changes come at a critical time, as Pakistan prepares for their home Test series against England, followed by an ODI and T20 series in Australia.