Babar Azam’s decision to resign as Pakistan’s limited-overs captain stems from a critical report submitted by head coach Gary Kirsten and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood, following Pakistan’s poor performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup. According to a report by PTI, insiders from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed that parts of this report, which highlighted Azam’s leadership shortcomings, were leaked, leading to Babar’s dissatisfaction and eventual resignation.
The T20 World Cup was a major disappointment for Pakistan, as the team suffered defeats to both the USA and India, failing to progress beyond the group stage. This marked the second consecutive ICC tournament under Babar’s captaincy where the team didn’t reach the knockout stages, the previous being the ODI World Cup in India.
Kirsten’s Critical Report and Babar’s Response
In his report to the PCB, Kirsten, a former South African opener, criticized Babar’s ability to unite the team and effectively manage the challenges of leadership. The report also addressed issues within the dressing room, pointing out instances of non-cooperation among players during tours in England and the T20 World Cup. Kirsten’s assessment raised doubts about whether Babar was capable of handling the increasing pressures of captaincy, especially with his crucial role as a specialist batter.
The leaking of this report to the public reportedly left Babar feeling targeted, as he believed the blame for the team’s poor results was being unfairly placed solely on him. According to an insider, Babar expressed his frustration with the PCB, feeling that the board did not recognize his past achievements or show the necessary trust in his leadership during this challenging period.
Decision to Step Down
One of the final tipping points in Babar’s decision to step down was the PCB’s move to delay the announcement of the ODI captain while naming him as the T20 captain ahead of the World Cup. This hesitation added to the growing tension between Babar and the board.
With internal discussions ongoing, the PCB is in no rush to announce Babar’s successor. Kirsten, alongside selector Asad Shafiq and other selection committee members, has been tasked with carefully considering the next captaincy appointment. According to sources, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has requested that all decisions and discussions be documented to ensure transparency in the selection process.
Babar’s resignation brings an end to a challenging period of leadership, marked by high expectations, internal conflicts, and growing scrutiny. The PCB now faces the task of selecting a new leader to guide Pakistan’s cricket team through the next phase.
