Babar Azam steps down as captain after disappointing ICC World Cup performance

In a significant move, Pakistan's cricket captain, Babar Azam, has announced his decision to step down from the captaincy across all formats of the game in the aftermath of Pakistan's lackluster performance in the ICC World Cup 2023. Azam took to the social media platform X to convey this decision, acknowledging the difficulty of the choice but asserting that he believes it is the opportune moment for such a transition. The move comes amid criticism of Pakistan's performance in the tournament, where the team failed to meet expectations, and questions were raised regarding Babar Azam's on-field decisions as the captain.

Babar Azam, who had taken up the captaincy role in 2019, expressed gratitude towards the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for entrusting him with the significant responsibility. In his detailed social media post, Azam reminisced about the journey, highlighting both highs and lows on and off the field. Despite the challenges, he emphasized his passionate commitment to maintaining Pakistan's pride and respect in the cricketing world.

Azam assured his continued dedication to representing Pakistan as a player in all three formats, expressing readiness to support the new captain and the team with his wealth of experience. The announcement signals a turning point in Pakistan's cricket leadership, opening the door for a new captain to steer the team forward.