Babar Azam quits as captain: A well-timed decision for Pakistan cricket's future

As anticipated, Babar Azam has officially resigned from his role as captain of Pakistan's white-ball cricket team, a decision that appears to be well-timed.

Babar shared this news in a late-night post on social media, where he detailed his reasons for quitting the captaincy.

"I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men's cricket team, effective as of my notification to the PCB and team management last month," Babar announced on X, a platform previously known as Twitter.

"It's been an honour to lead this team but it's time for me to step down and focus on my playing role"

Dip in Babar’s performance as batter and captain

He acknowledged that while leading the team was fulfilling, it also significantly increased his workload.

"Captaincy has been a rewarding experience but it's added a significant workload. I want to prioritize my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family which brings me joy,” Babar added.

Captaincy may have been a rewarding experience for Babar, but his second stint wasn't very beneficial for Pakistan. They won only six out of 13 T20I matches, including a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign that saw them exit in the first round after losses to the USA and India. Although officially the captain of both the T20I and ODI teams, Babar didn't get a chance to lead any 50-over games during this period.

He further explained that by relinquishing the captaincy, he would gain clarity for the future and channel more energy into his game and personal development.

Having struggled with only 64 runs in four innings against Bangladesh in the recent home Test series, Babar is under pressure to improve his batting. He opted not to lead the team in the recently-concluded Champions Cup, where he regained some form by scoring 230 runs in four innings, including a match-winning century.

Babar also thanked his supporters, saying, "I’m grateful for your unwavering support and belief in me. Your enthusiasm has meant everything to me." Reflecting on his tenure, he added, "I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and excited to keep contributing to the team as a player."

Following Babar’s announcement, fans wished him luck and praised his decision, hoping that he will once again shine as one of the world’s best batters.

Controversy around Babar’s second stint as captain

Babar was first appointed as T20I captain in 2019 before the Australia series, which Pakistan lost 2-0. He later took on leadership roles in Tests and ODIs in 2020. However, after Pakistan’s underwhelming performances in the 2023 Asia Cup and ODI World Cup, pressure mounted on Babar to step down from white-ball captaincy, eventually leading him to resign from leadership in all formats.

Shan Masood was appointed Test captain, and Shaheen Afridi took over the T20I side under the then PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf. However, Shaheen was replaced after just one series due to a leadership change within the PCB.

Babar Azam (R) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (L) chase the ball during the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four One-Day International (ODI) cricket match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.AFP

Shortly after assuming his role, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi reinstated Babar as white-ball captain ahead of the T20 World Cup this summer. When Shaheen was removed, the PCB issued a statement suggesting Shaheen supported Babar, but Shaheen publicly denied making any such statement. This caused a rift between Shaheen and Babar, leaving Shaheen visibly upset and stirring rumors of disunity within the team.

This tension eventually contributed to Pakistan’s early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup. The PCB acknowledged the team's internal issues during a recent connection camp. Babar’s decision to step down seems to be timely as Pakistan looks to recover from one of their worst phases in cricket.

Next captain?

With Babar stepping down, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) now faces the task of selecting a new captain in white-ball cricket. Mohammad Rizwan is viewed as the leading candidate, having significant captaincy experience at the domestic level, where he has led teams like Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa across formats.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan added 63 off 62 balls for the second wicket against Canada during the 2024 T20 World Cup.AFP

In 2018, Rizwan captained the Pakistan 'A' team against New Zealand 'A' in the UAE, signaling the PCB’s plans for him as a future leader. However, when Sarfaraz was removed as captain in 2019, Rizwan was overlooked, and Babar was appointed captain in all three formats. Rizwan did experience Test captaincy when Babar was injured during Pakistan’s 2020 tour of New Zealand, which Pakistan lost 2-0.

Since then, Rizwan has led the Multan Sultans to their maiden PSL title and turned them into one of the most consistent teams in the league. Rizwan's leadership qualities have been evident in his domestic and PSL performances, making him a strong candidate for the role.

Pakistan’s upcoming schedule includes a tour of Australia next month for three ODIs and three T20Is, followed by a tour of Zimbabwe for three ODIs and three T20Is in November.