Pakistan Cricket Board accepts Babar's decision to quit captaincy and focus on batting

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) accepted the resignation of Babar Azam as white-ball captain of the national team on Wednesday and asked the selection committee to recommend his successor.

The PCB said it had backed Babar as the T20 and ODI captain, but his decision to resign reflected "his desire to focus more on making a greater impact as a player.”

Babar announced on Tuesday he was stepping down, saying he wanted to deliver more for the team as a player and could make a bigger impact by concentrating on his batting.

"Babar Azam tendered his resignation on Tuesday evening, and it has been accepted,” the PCB said in a statement. "The national selection committee has been tasked with beginning the process of formulating future white-ball cricket strategies, including recommending a new captain.”

PCB’s white-ball selection committee includes head coach Gary Kirsten and former international cricketer Asad Shafiq.

"I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, effective as of my notification to the PCB and Team Management last month,” Babar said on X.

"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 stepped down as all-formats captain — including Tests — after Pakistan failed to make the semifinals of the 50-over World Cup in India last year. Shaheen Shah Afridi led Pakistan briefly in the T20 format but was removed from the captaincy after Pakistan lost 4-1 to New Zealand. Pakistan hasn’t played an ODI since the World Cup.

Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, reappointed Babar as white-ball captain in March, but he could only win a bilateral series against Ireland 2-1.

Pakistan drew the home T20 series against New Zealand 2-2 before losing 2-0 to England just before the Twenty20 World Cup, where Pakistan failed to reach the Super Eight stage after losing to co-host United States and archrival India in the group stage.

Babar, who hasn’t struck a half century in his last 16 test innings, scored heavily in the recent domestic Champions Cup One-Day Tournament where he hit a century for Stallions and finished as the tournament’s fourth top-scorer with 230 runs in four matches. Babar didn’t lead Stallions and played under the captaincy of Mohammad Haris.

Babar led Pakistan in 43 ODIs, winning 26 and losing 15. He also captained Pakistan in 85 T20s with a win-loss record of 48-29.

Babar said it was an "honour to lead” Pakistan, but he believed it was time for him to step down and focus on his playing role. "By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on my game and personal growth.”

Pakistan cricket team has a busy white-ball schedule over the next six months, which starts with the tour of Australia next month where it will play three ODIs and three Twenty20s.

Pakistan's white-ball team then tours Zimbabwe and South Africa before playing a triangular ODI series at home against New Zealand and South Africa as part of its preparation for the Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan in February. Pakistan is also scheduled to tour New Zealand for five T20s and three ODIs after the Champions Trophy in March.

Associated Press