'PCB Had Backed Babar Azam...' - Massive Revelations Emerge After Pakistan Captain's Resignation
Babar Azam resigned as Pakistan's white-ball captain [Source: @babarazam258/x.com]
In a move that has left many in the cricketing world astonished, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially accepted Babar Azam’s resignation as white-ball captain with an air of indifference on Wednesday. The prolific batter, who had earlier communicated his intent to step down, was met with little resistance from the board, signalling a cold and calculated end to his leadership tenure following Pakistan’s disappointing T20 World Cup 2024 campaign.
PCB's Unceremonious Response to a Captain's Farewell
Babar Azam, known for his impeccable technique and consistency with the bat, revealed that he had informed the PCB about his decision a month ago. Yet, the board’s response was curt, acknowledging his departure as merely a personal choice—leaving many to wonder if the decision was more mutual than it seemed.
Despite being offered the chance to continue as the ODI captain, Babar Azam firmly declined, citing the need to unburden himself from the responsibilities of leadership.
The PCB, however, showed no signs of attempting to persuade their star to stay on as captain, stating that Babar’s choice was a reflection of his personal goals.
“Although the PCB had backed Babar Azam as the white-ball captain, his decision to step down reflects his desire to focus more on making a greater impact as a player,” said PCB.
The star batter’s form has been on a downward spiral for nearly a year, and this, combined with growing isolation within the squad, likely pushed Babar to reconsider his role in the team.
While the PCB publicly supported Babar’s captaincy, their unenthusiastic response to his resignation suggests that the board may have seen this coming long before the T20 World Cup fiasco.
Why Babar Azam Chose To Step Down As Pakistan Captain?
Sources close to the team indicate that Babar Azam’s relationship with his teammates had begun to fray after Pakistan’s poor showing at the T20 World Cup.
According to Cricket Pakistan, the captain felt increasingly undervalued within the squad, which ultimately led to his decision to step down. It appears that the batter was also fatigued from the leadership demands, which were weighing down on his performance.
In a heartfelt post on social media platform X, Babar explained his reasons for resigning, highlighting the importance of personal growth and his desire to regain form without the pressures of captaincy.
His departure as captain marks yet another turning point in Pakistan’s cricket leadership struggles. After briefly stepping down in 2023 under Zaka Ashraf’s tenure, only to be reinstated as white-ball captain ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup, Babar's departure now seems final.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether this marks the end of an era or the beginning of a new chapter for Pakistan cricket. While Babar has vowed to continue contributing as a player, the absence of his leadership leaves a significant gap in the team.
Fans will be hoping that the batter can bounce back, free from the weight of captaincy, to once again become Pakistan's shining star. As the PCB moves forward, the real test begins now—finding the right captain who can bring the team together and restore its former glory.