Recently, Babar Azam resigned as the Pakistan skipper across all formats of cricket. The 29-year-old Pakistani cricketer took this decision after his team’s flop show in the ICC World Cup 2023 tournament.
Babar Azam was criticized poorly for his team’s poor performance in Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023. Moreover, Babar and his men failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the ICC World Cup 2023.
Additionally, Pakistan senior cricketers such as Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akmal started criticizing Babar Azam’s captaincy.
During the era of Babar Azam’s captaincy, Pakistan ranked in the 1st position in the ODI rankings. Unfortunately, Babar’s captaincy did not work out well in recent tournaments such as the Asia Cup 2023 and ICC World Cup 2023.
Also, Babar’s captaincy led his team to the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. Moreover, Pakistan under Babar Azam’s leadership was the runner-up of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022.
Moreover, Babar Azam during his captaincy ranked at the 1st position in the list of best ODI batsmen. Recently, Indian opening batsman Shubman Gill overtook his position in ODIs.
Especially, the absence of Pakistan’s key fast bowler Naseem Shah had a major impact on his team’s bowling performance. A shoulder injury forced Naseem Shah to be ruled out of the ICC World Cup 2023.
As a result, Pakistan stumbled to win the crucial matches against India, Australia, Afghanistan, South Africa, and England.
After Babar Azam resigned as the Pakistan skipper, the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board), offered him to continue as the test captain. The only option provided for Babar was to step down as the skipper in limited-overs cricket.
Babar Azam, after discussing it with his family members, has finally made this decision. The PCB promises to provide support for him as a player by honoring Babar’s decision.
Pakistan’s bowling coach Morne Morkel’s resignation after 2 days, led Babar Azam to make this crucial decision.
Babar Azam resigned as the Pakistan Skipper: Who are the New Captains for Tests, ODIs, and T20Is?
After Babar Azam resigned as the Pakistan skipper, thePCB appointed new captains for different formats of cricket.
1. Test Matches Captain:
Pakistan will be geared up for the upcoming 3-Test Match series against Australia in December 2023. The PCB has selected Shan Masood as the new Test captain for the Pakistan cricket team.
Furthermore, the PCB confirmed by stating that Shan Masood will remain as Pakistan’s Test captain till the sequence of the World Test Championship of 2023-2025.
Ultimately, the 34-year left-handed batsman has a huge responsibility ahead. As a debutant test captain, Shan Masood has a great challenge to lead his team against the toughest opposition team.
2.T20Is Captain:
After Babar Azam resigned as the Pakistan skipper, Shaheen Afridi entered into the role of the new T20I captain.
The 23-year fast bowler, as a debutant captain will lead his team for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, starting from 12th January 2024.
3. ODI Captain:
The PCB has not yet finalized the ODI captain for the Pakistan cricket team. This is because Pakistan will not have any upcoming ODI series in the forthcoming months.
With sufficient time left for the PCB to decide on the new ODI skipper for Pakistan, it would be exciting to wait for the official announcement.
Babar Azam (Left), after resignation, madethe PCB select Shan Masood (Middle) as the Test skipper and Shaheen Afridi (Right) as the T20I captain.
Babar Azam resigned as the Pakistan Skipper: An emotional message conveyed
As Babar Azam resigned as the Pakistan skipper, he conveyed an important emotional message. The former skipper expressed his gratitude towards PCB for recruiting him as the skipper in all formats of cricket during these 4 years.
Babar Azam assured that he will provide his complete support to the new skipper across different cricket formats.
Additionally, Babar feels that it was a difficult decision for him to step down as a Pakistan skipper across all formats. But, justifies that it was the perfect moment for him to take this decision.
Also, Babar Azam states that he will continue to represent his country as a key player on the team.
Babar Azam highlights the fact when he received a call from the PCB in 2019, to lead the Pakistan team across all formats. Though there were many ups and downs in his career, the former skipper conveys that he had given his complete efforts to maintain the Pakistan cricket team’s respect.
Shoaib Akhtar opened up after Babar Azam Resigned as the Pakistan Skipper
Senior Pakistan fast Bowler Shoaib Akhtar shared his opinion after Babar Azam resigned as the Pakistan skipper.
Shoaib Akhtar suggests that the PCB should provide Babar Azam a grace period of 1 to 2 months without pressurizing him. Rather than removing him from the captaincy across all formats, Babar Azam should be given an additional chance by changing the squads for the upcoming series.
Furthermore, the former cricketer stresses the unfair methods of handling the situation by the PCB after a flop show of World Cup 2023 for Pakistan.
Shoaib Akhtar feels that if he had the authority to make decisions, he would have provided an additional chance to Babar Azam by granting a grace period.
Overall, Shoaib Akhtar was not happy with the PCB as well as Babar Azam’s resignation from captaincy.
