Cricket News

Babar Azam steps down as Pakistan captain, Pakistan opt for split captaincy

This marks the beginning of a new era as far as Pakistan Cricket is concerned.

Nov 16, 2023 11:47 am

In a move that was on expected lines, Babar Azam, Pakistan’s prolific batsman and captain, has stepped down from his leadership role in all three formats of the game, Test, ODI, and T20I, effective immediately. This decision comes on the heels of Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the recent Cricket World Cup 2023, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage.

Azam, who was appointed captain in 2019, has led Pakistan through a period of both highs and lows. Under his captaincy, Pakistan reached the number-one ranking in ODIs, a testament to his ability to inspire the team. He also led Pakistan to the final of the T20 World Cup in 2002. However, the World Cup setback proved to be a turning point, and Azam has taken responsibility for the team’s shortcomings.

In a statement announcing his resignation, Azam expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead Pakistan and reaffirmed his commitment to representing the country as a player. He also expressed his support for whoever takes over the captaincy, emphasizing the need for a new direction and fresh energy.

“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. Reaching the No. 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 the right time for this call. 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 PCB for entrusting me with this significant responsibility”, his statement read.

PCB appoints new captains

In the wake of Babar’s resignation as captain, the Pakistan Cricket Board swiftly appointed Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood as the new captains. Afridi will take over the reins of the ODI and T20 setup while Masood will lead the Test side. This decision marks a significant shift in Pakistan’s cricketing leadership, injecting a new direction into the national team.

Shaheen Afridi has certified leadership credentials having led the Lahore Qalandars to PSL triumphs in 2022 and 2023. While he is still young, his performances have made him a senior figure in the dressing room. Meanwhile, Shan Masood, the experienced left-handed top-order batsman has not led Pakistan yet but has been vice-captain of the ODI team in the past. His calm demeanour makes him a suitable choice for the longer format of the game.

With these appointments, Pakistan cricket embarks on a new chapter, eager to regain its cricketing prowess and reclaim its position among the world’s top cricketing nations.