The cricketer, who has been a consistent performer for Pakistan, expressed his commitment to continue representing the country as a player, offering support to the new captain and the team.
The decision comes in the aftermath of Pakistan's tumultuous World Cup campaign, where the team faced criticism for its underwhelming performance.
Babar Azam, both the captain and the team's star batter, found himself in the crossfire of disapproval. With just 320 runs in the tournament at an average of 40 and a strike rate of 82.90, Babar's struggles mirrored the team's overall woes. Pakistan managed to secure only four victories out of their nine league-stage games.
Babar Azam took over the white-ball captaincy in 2019, succeeding Sarfaraz Ahmed, and later assumed the role of Test captain in 2021. Under his leadership, Pakistan witnessed notable successes, reaching the final of the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup in 2022.
Reflecting on his captaincy journey, Babar shared, "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."
Earlier this year, Babar's ODI team reached the pinnacle of the ICC rankings, marking a significant achievement for Pakistan cricket.
Babar acknowledged the collective efforts of players, coaches, and management in reaching the number one spot and expressed gratitude to the passionate Pakistani cricket fans for their unwavering support.
As Babar Azam takes a step back from captaincy, a new chapter begins for Pakistan cricket. The legacy of his leadership, with its highs and lows, will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the team's journey.
The focus now shifts to the appointment of a new captain and the collective effort required to steer Pakistan cricket back on the path of success.
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