Babar Azam Steps Down as Pakistan Cricket Captain After Disappointing ODI World Cup Campaign

Pakistan’s cricket captain, Babar Azam, has announced his decision to step down from the captaincy in all formats, following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

In a statement shared on social media, the 29-year-old expressed the difficulty of his decision but emphasized that he believes it is the right time for this call. Despite stepping down from the leadership role, Babar Azam confirmed that he will continue to represent Pakistan as a player in all three formats.

Babar Azam reflected on his tenure as captain since 2019, recalling the moment when he received the call from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to lead the team. He acknowledged the highs and lows experienced both on and off the field during the past four years. Notably, under his captaincy, Pakistan reached the No. 1 spot in the white-ball format.

The announcement follows Pakistan’s disappointing 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, where the team failed to qualify for the semi-finals, managing to win only four out of nine matches.

Babar Azam expressed gratitude to the players, coaches, and management for their collective efforts in achieving success in the white-ball format. He also extended his thanks to the passionate Pakistan cricket fans for their unwavering support throughout his captaincy.

The cricketing community now awaits the appointment of a new captain for Pakistan, and Babar Azam has reassured fans that he will continue to support the team and the incoming captain in his new role. Stay tuned for more developments on this story.