In a surprising turn of events, Babar Azam has decided to resign from his captaincy role for Pakistan in all three formats following the team’s failure to advance to the knockout stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. This decision, announced on November 15, has sparked discussions in the cricket community, with many scrutinizing Babar’s captaincy during Pakistan’s campaign.

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Expressing his sentiments, the 29-year-old batsman recalled the pivotal moment when he was appointed as the captain in 2019, stating, “Over the past four years, I’ve experienced many highs and lows on and off the field, but I wholeheartedly aimed to maintain Pakistan’s pride and respect in the cricket world.” He acknowledged the collective efforts of players, coaches, and management that led to Pakistan’s No. 1 spot in the white-ball format.

Babar Azam, recognizing the unwavering support of passionate Pakistan cricket fans, declared, “Today, I’m stepping down as the captain of Pakistan across all formats. It’s a difficult decision, but I feel it is the right time for this call.” He expressed gratitude to the Pakistan Cricket Board for entrusting him with the significant responsibility.

During Babar’s captaincy, Pakistan achieved the No. 1 position in ODIs. However, their World Cup campaign ended on a disappointing note with a 93-run defeat to England. Babar himself had a mixed performance in the tournament, scoring 320 runs in nine matches with an average of 40 and a strike rate of 82.90.

The Men in Green faced setbacks, including a defeat to arch-rival India. In their last league match, they aimed for a miraculous turnaround in net run rate but fell short as England secured a 93-run victory.

This announcement follows Morne Morkel’s resignation as the bowling coach of the Pakistan Men’s team earlier this week. Babar Azam’s captaincy record, since taking over from Sarfaraz Ahmed, includes 133 matches across all formats, with 78 wins and 43 losses, reflecting a win percentage of 64.34%.

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As Pakistan navigates this transition, the cricketing world eagerly awaits the developments that will shape the future of the team under new leadership.