(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] In a significant development for Pakistan cricket, Babar Azam has relinquished the captaincy across all formats after the team’s inability to secure a spot in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-finals under his leadership.
Expressing his sentiments on this pivotal decision, Babar shared via social media that leading the national team since 2019 has been a challenging but rewarding journey.
“I vividly remember the moment when I received the call from PCB to lead Pakistan in 2019. Over the past four years, I’ve experienced many highs and lows on and off the field, but I wholeheartedly and passionately aimed to maintain Pakistan’s pride and respect in the cricket world,” wrote Babar in his post.
Reflecting on the highs and lows both on and off the field, the 29-year-old acknowledged the collective efforts that propelled Pakistan to the number 1 spot in the white-ball format. Grateful for the unwavering support of passionate cricket fans, he deemed it the right time to step down as captain in all formats while pledging to continue contributing as a player.
“Reaching the number 1 spot in the white-ball format was a result of the collective efforts of players, coaches, and management but I’d like to express my gratitude to passionate Pakistan cricket fans for their unwavering support during this journey. Today, I am stepping down as the captain of Pakistan in all formats. It’s a difficult decision but I feel it is a right time for this call,” he added.
“I will continue to represent Pakistan as a player in all three formats. I am here to support the new captain and the team with my experience and dedication. I want to express my sincere thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board for entrusting me with this significant responsibility,” Babar concluded.
Shortly after Babar’s announcement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) swiftly named new captains for the national side. Opting for split captaincy, they appointed pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi as the T20I captain and Shan Masood as the red-ball skipper until the end of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25.
“The PCB has appointed Shan Masood as the Test captain of Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team, while Shaheen Shah Afridi has been named T20I captain,” stated PCB in a media release.
Masood’s first assignment as Test captain will be Pakistan’s tour to Australia for a three-Test series in December, while Shaheen will start the captaincy for the T20I side from the five matches against New Zealand in January 2024.
“Shan and Shaheen were appointed captains after Babar Azam today stepped down from all three formats of the game. Pakistan’s captain in the ODI format will be announced in due course,” PCB informed.