<\/p>\n
Babar Azam announced on Wednesday that he was stepping down as the Pakistan cricket captain in all formats.<\/p>\n
He made the announcement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), shortly after he met Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Interim Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf in Lahore.<\/p>\n
According to the PCB, Babar was asked to continue as Test captain after being relieved of the captaincy in white-ball cricket.<\/p>\n
In his statement, Babar said, \u201cI vividly remember the moment when I received the call from PCB to lead Pakistan in 2019. Over the past four years, I\u2019ve experienced many highs and lows on and off the field but I wholeheartedly and passionately aimed to maintain Pakistan\u2019s pride and respect in the cricket world.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said that reaching the number one spot in white-ball cricket was the result of the \u201ccollective efforts of players, coaches, and management but I\u2019d like to express my gratitude to passionate Pakistan cricket fans for their unwavering support during this journey\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, I am stepping down as the captain of Pakistan in all formats. It\u2019s a difficult decision but I feel it is a right time for this call. I will continue to represent Pakistan as a player in all three formats. I am here to support the new captain and the team with my experience and dedication,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to express my sincere thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board for entrusting me with this significant responsibility,\u201d Babar concluded.<\/p>\n
Babar was first made the T20<\/a> captain in 2019, before taking charge of the Test<\/a> and ODI<\/a> teams in 2020.<\/p>\n Although Babar did not mention a specific reason for his decision to step down, it comes after the team\u2019s disastrous performance in the World Cup.<\/p>\n The Green Shirts lost five of their nine games including a seven-wicket mauling by India<\/a> in front of more than 100,000 fans in Ahmedabad. Pakistan also lost to Afghanistan<\/a> for the first time.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the PCB said that Shan Masood had been appointed Test captain while Earlier today, Babar had met the PCB chief in Lahore. Footage aired on television had shown Babar\u2019s car being hounded by fans and journalists as he left the PCB headquarters at the Gaddafi Stadium.<\/p>\n Shortly after Babar announced his decision to step down, the PCB issued a press release regarding the meeting with Ashraf which was described as \u201ccordial\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cBabar was asked to continue as Test captain while he has been relieved of captaincy in white-ball cricket for him to focus on one format.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter consultation with his family, Babar decided to step down and PCB stands behind his decision,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n The statement quoted Ashraf as saying Babar was \u201ctruly a world-class player and we want him to continue to thrive as a player\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is one of the best batters Pakistan has ever produced. He is our asset, and we will continue to support him. His batting prowess is a testament to his dedication and skill. He is a role model for the present generation,\u201d the PCB chief said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to see him grow as a great batter and now without his additional burden of the captaincy, he can focus more on his performances to reach even greater heights. We respect his decision and will continue to back him,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The statement also said the board had \u201cchanged the portfolio of the entire coaching staff\u201d, including director Mickey Arthur.<\/p>\n \u201cAll coaches will continue to work in National Cricket Academy while PCB will announce the new coaching staff in due course for the upcoming series in Australia and New Zealand,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n Reacting to Babar\u2019s decision, Shaheen \u2014 the new T20 captain \u2014 said, \u201cUnder your exemplary leadership, it\u2019s been a privilege to witness true teamwork and camaraderie. Your forefront leadership and commitment to team unity and collective success are commendable.\u201d<\/p>\n Muhammad Rizwan called the batsmen \u201cdefinitely one of the greatest batsmen Pakistan has ever seen\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cYour honesty, love, integrity, thoughts and efforts for Pakistan as the captain are the things to look up to. May you continue to shine for Pakistan,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBest of luck for the new chapter in your career,\u201d said Shadab Khan. \u201cI am sure you will continue to shine bright,\u201d he said while congratulating the new Test and T20 captains.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has been an honour to have represented Pakistan under your captaincy,\u201d said Iftikhar Ahmad.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been part of many highs and many lows during that period but your resilience and determination always came on top. Looking forward to seeing you score heavily for Pakistan and that too from the best seat of non-striking end,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you for your meritorious services as Pakistan captain. You inspired the whole next generation of cricketers with your leadership, grace, talent and performances. Hope you will continue to shine and rule as the journey is far from over!\u201d said Shahid Afridi.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did an amazing job Babar. Taking the Pakistan team to the number one spot is an achievement of immense pride,\u201d said Wahab Riaz<\/p>\n \u201cYou still have a long way to go, lots more to achieve for Pakistan as a player. Best wishes!!\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Former all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez appreciated Babar\u2019s services as captain.<\/p>\n \u201cSurely your hunger to get more runs contributed to winning matches for the team. Stay healthy and blessed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Ex-cricketer Saeed Ajmal thanked Babar for his services as captain and for \u201ctaking Pakistan\u2019s ODI team to the number one spot\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope that you continue to score runs for Pakistan even more than before. Keep smiling and stay fit. The team needs you at your best,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cEnd of an era for Pakistan,\u201d said the International Cricket Council (ICC) said.<\/p>\n Former captain Younis Khan and former pacers Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir had met Ashraf on Tuesday as the PCB began its inquest on Pakistan\u2019s performance at the World Cup and plans for the upcoming Test series against Australia.<\/p>\n It was learnt by Dawn<\/em> that the trio had advised Ashraf not to make wholesale changes ahead of the tour of Australia.<\/p>\n
\nShaheen Shah Afridi would will lead the T20 side.<\/p>\nBabar\u2019s meeting with Ashraf<\/h2>\n
\u2018End of an era\u2019<\/h2>\n