Babar Azam steps down as Pakistan captain for second time

Pakistan batter Babar Azam has unexpectedly resigned from his position as Pakistan's white-ball team captain. Babar announced on social media on Wednesday that he is leaving his position in both the ODI and T20Is. He also stated that he had notified the team management and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of his decision in September.

Babar Azam stated that being captain came with a "significant workload," and that by resigning, he would focus his energies on using the bat to benefit the team. The decision was made by the renowned batter soon after he fell out of the top 10 ICC Test rankings. In international cricket, Babar has been experiencing an uncommon dry spell. 

"Dear Fans, I am sharing some news with you today. 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 in a late-night post on X, formerly Twitter.

Dear Fans,

I'm sharing some news with you today. 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.

It's been an honour to lead this team, but it's time for me to step down and focus…

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) October 1, 2024

After ICC ODI World Babar Azam stepped down as captain

In 2024, Pakistan's performance in the T20 World Cup was dismal, and India went on to win the tournament.As a result of losses to India and the United States, Pakistan was eliminated in the group stage. As newly-appointed head coach Gary Kirsten's first assignment with the team ended in disappointment, there were rumours of rifts in the dressing room.

Babar has stepped down as the senior national men's team captain for the second time in less than a year. First time he did was last year after the ICC ODI World which was held in India. Due to poor performance in the ODI World Cup Babar Azam left his role as captain from all formats of the game.

But earlier this year after the change in Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Babar was given back his position as captain.While in T20I Shaheen Afridi who had been named Babar's successor in T20Is was dismissed from his position. He captained the Pakistan team for only one T20I series which was against New Zealand earlier this year.