Babar Azam steps down as Pakistan captain
Babar Azam
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Pakistan's Babar Azam has stepped down from captaincy in all formats following their first round exit in the 2023 World Cup.
Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-finals with just four wins in nine matches.
Babar made the announcement through a statement posted on his social media handles.
“I vividly remember the moment when I received the call from PCB to lead Pakistan in 2019. Over the past four years, I've experienced many highs and lows on and off the field, but I wholeheartedly and passionately aimed to maintain Pakistan's pride and respect in the cricket world,” Babar wrote in his statement.
“Today, I am stepping down as the captain of Pakistan in all formats. It's a difficult decision but I feel it is a right time for this call.
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“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.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board for entrusting me with this significant responsibility,” he added.
Ranked as the number one batsman before the World Cup, Azam failed to score big runs in India, finishing with 320 without a century over nine games
Babar led Pakistan in 20 Tests, winning ten, losing six and drawing the other four. In 43 ODIs, Pakistan won 26, losing 16 with one no result.
In the shortest format, Babar led Pakistan to the semi-final of the Twenty20 World Cup in 2021 and a runners-up finish a year later.
In 71 T20Is, he enjoyed 41 wins, 23 losses with seven no results.
Pakistan have appointed Shaheen Shah Afridi as their new T20I captain and Shan Masood as their Test captain.
With no ODIs scheduled in the near future, the PCB have not named an ODI captain just yet.
