After an unimpressive run in the ICC World Cup 2023, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam walks away from his captaincy in all formats. Babar arrived in Lahore on Monday following the failed World Cup campaign, with the word going around that he will not voluntarily step down and wait for the the Pakistan Cricket Board to take a call.
Babar made this annoucement on X, formely known as Twitter and said that he will continue to play in all three formats and will be in full support of the team and the new captain.
Babar, who was received by his family members at the Lahore International Airport, looked downcast as he came out of the building surrounded by security personnel.
Babar was first made the white-ball captain in late 2019 and, in 2021, he also took over as the Test skipper. He has led Pakistan in two Asia Cups, two T20 World Cups and the ongoing ODI World Cup without winning any title. The team's dismal performance in India has divided the cricket fraternity in the country on whether Babar should be retained as captain or other options should be considered.
Prominent among those supporting him are PCB's former chairman, Ramiz Raja, and former all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who had initially said pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was ready to be Pakistan captain. Even as the debate rages on social media and various other platforms on whether Babar should be replaced or not, PCB chief Zaka Ashraf had said that he will consult some former players before deciding the future course of action.
Pakistan have two tough tours coming up against Australia and New Zealand in December-January. Pakistan batter Shan Masood, wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi are being seen as possible captaincy candidates.
With the team scheduled to leave for Australia in early December, the PCB has two weeks to appoint the new captain for the national team.
(With PTI inputs)
First Published: Nov 15, 2023 7:36 PM IST
