Babar Azam steps down, declines PCB’s only test captaincy offer

LAHORE: Babar Azam has stepped down from the captaincy of the Pakistan men’s cricket team across all formats.

It was reported earlier that PCB will remove Babar Azam from leadership roles in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20s.

It was also reported that PCB had decided to retain him as the captain for the upcoming Test series against Australia.  However, Babar declined the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) proposal to retain him solely as the Test captain.

World Cup 2023: Shahid Afridi criticises Babar Azam’s captaincy

Babar Azam’s statement

In a statement issued on social media, Babar Azam announced his decision to leave captaincy of the Pakistan cricket team.

“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,’ wrote Babar in a statement issued on ‘X’ formerly known as Twitter.

“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,” he added.

Babar also thanked PCB for “entrusting him with significant responsibility.”

Who will be the new captain of the Pakistan cricket team?

According to sources from Geo Super, Shan Masood is as a strong contender for the captaincy in the upcoming Test series against Australia, while Shaheen Shah Afridi is being considered for the T20I series in New Zealand.

Shaheen Shah Afridi might also lead the Green Shirts in the T20 World Cup, in 2024.

The development follows Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, failing to reach the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2023 in India.