Babar Azam, one of Pakistan’s most celebrated cricketers, officially stepped down as captain of Pakistan’s ODI and T20 teams on October 2, 2024. His decision to resign has sent ripples through the cricket world, as Babar had led Pakistan during a period of both remarkable highs and some significant challenges. His journey as captain, however, has been filled with ups and downs, making this decision both significant and reflective of his cricketing career.
The Rise of Babar Azam as Captain
Babar Azam was appointed as the captain of Pakistan’s ODI team in 2019 and later took over the T20 side as well. His promotion to captain came after he had established himself as one of the world’s premier batsmen, known for his consistency and elegant style. At the time of his appointment, Pakistan cricket was in a state of transition, and the hope was that Babar’s leadership would steer the team toward success, especially with a young and relatively inexperienced squad under his guidance.
Under Babar’s leadership, Pakistan had some significant victories, especially in bilateral series. His steady performances with the bat further solidified his position as a leader, but captaincy often comes with immense pressure, and Babar faced his fair share of challenges.
Challenges as Captain and Loss of Captaincy
Despite his personal success with the bat, Babar’s captaincy faced a significant test during Pakistan’s poor performances in major ICC tournaments. A particularly challenging period was during the 2021 T20 World Cup, where despite having a strong squad, Pakistan failed to make it to the finals. His tactical decisions and team selections came under scrutiny during this period, leading to widespread criticism.
In early 2022, Babar was replaced as the captain of the T20 squad following a series of underwhelming performances. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to try new leadership, and for a brief period, Babar lost his place as captain.
However, his excellent performances as a batsman and his growing influence in the dressing room led to his reinstatement as captain later in 2022, particularly in the ODI format, where Pakistan was preparing for the upcoming World Cup.
The Return and Final Tenure as Captain
Upon his return as captain, Babar once again displayed his exceptional talent as a batsman, with several match-winning innings to his name. He became the fastest player in history to reach 5,000 ODI runs, and under his leadership, Pakistan had impressive series wins, particularly against teams like New Zealand and South Africa.
However, captaincy continued to weigh heavily on Babar. While Pakistan managed to remain competitive in bilateral series, their struggles in major tournaments persisted. The pressure of leading Pakistan, a cricket-crazed nation, began to take its toll. His captaincy in the 2023 ODI World Cup saw mixed results, with Pakistan narrowly missing out on a semi-final spot due to inconsistent performances.
Resignation: A Decision for Focus
In his resignation announcement on October 2, 2024, Babar cited the immense workload of captaincy as a major factor for stepping down. He expressed his desire to focus more on his batting and contribute as a senior player, without the added pressure of leading the side. Babar’s decision to step down is reflective of his desire to prolong his cricketing career and continue being a leading run-scorer for Pakistan.
For Babar, stepping down from the captaincy might be seen as a fresh start — an opportunity to focus solely on his primary strength: his batting. Having been Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in recent years, Babar still has much to offer, and his resignation may just be the rejuvenation he needs to continue his stellar career.
Legacy as Captain
Babar Azam’s legacy as captain will be a mixed one. While he enjoyed considerable success in bilateral series and had several personal batting milestones, his leadership in ICC tournaments remains a point of contention. Nonetheless, his contribution to Pakistan cricket, both as a batsman and a leader, cannot be understated.
In his resignation, Babar leaves behind a young team, many of whom have blossomed under his leadership. He may no longer wear the captain’s armband, but his influence on Pakistan cricket will continue for years to come.
Conclusion
Babar Azam’s resignation marks the end of a significant chapter in Pakistan cricket. His journey as captain was filled with many highs, such as personal milestones and historic wins, but also some lows, particularly in global tournaments. As he now focuses on his role as a batsman, Pakistan cricket will be looking for new leadership to guide the team forward. Yet, Babar’s contributions will be remembered, and his batting will continue to inspire millions of fans around the world.
Key Stats:
•Fastest to 5000 ODI runs
•Led Pakistan to historic victories against South Africa, New Zealand, and others.
•Returned as captain after losing the T20 captaincy in 2022, reflecting resilience and class.
