Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers backs the decision of Babar Azam to step down from captaincy. AB de Villiers one of the greatest batsmen praised Babar Azam’s game.
Reacting to Babar’s X post, the South African wrote, “Congrats. You’ve been great. Now for plenty more runs for your team.” On Monday, Babar Azam announced stepping down from the captaincy of the white-ball format. He announced his decision in a post on X. His decision received widespread praise as fans now hope he will once again performing better.
Babar Azam has announced his resignation as the captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team. The decision, effective immediately, follows a challenging year for both Babar and the national team. In a heartfelt message shared on X, the 29-year-old expressed, “By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on my game and personal growth.” This marks the second time Babar has relinquished captaincy; he initially stepped down in November 2023 amid mounting criticism after a disappointing Asia Cup and World Cup performance.
Read more: Babar Azam Steps Down as Captain of Pakistan Cricket Team
https://x.com/babarazam258/status/1841188496263856532
Babar’s captaincy journey has been tumultuous. Appointed as the white-ball captain in 2019 and the Test skipper in 2020, he led the team without securing any major ICC or Asia Cup titles. His leadership faced significant scrutiny following Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup in 2024, leading to renewed calls for a reassessment of the team’s composition. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has indicated that decisions regarding Babar and red-ball captain Shan Masood will involve consultations with key stakeholders in the coming weeks.
“Captaincy has been a rewarding experience but it added a significant workload on me,” he remarked. “I want to prioritise my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family, which brings me joy.” His decision comes after a period of personal reflection and acknowledgment of the pressures inherent in leadership roles within the Pakistan cricket setup.