NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has praised Babar Azam‘s decision to step down as captain of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket team, calling it a “sensible decision” that will benefit both Babar and the national side.
Basit, speaking on his YouTube channel, expressed that Babar’s resignation came at the right time, following a series of disappointing performances in recent major tournaments.
“Babar Azam stepping down is a very sensible decision,” Basit said. “In fact, he should have done this right after the 50-over World Cup in India. This will not only benefit Pakistan cricket but also Babar himself. It’s a brave decision that will help him refocus on his individual game.”
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Babar Azam officially announced his resignation from white-ball captaincy on a Wednesday night through a heartfelt social media post, addressing his fans directly. He acknowledged the weight of the role and how stepping down would allow him to focus more on his individual performance and personal life.
In his post, Babar said, “It’s been an honour to lead this team, but it’s time for me to step down and focus on my playing role. Captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but it’s added a significant workload. I want to prioritize my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family, which brings me joy.”
Babar’s tenure as captain, which began in 2019 with the T20 format and expanded to ODIs and Tests in 2020, was filled with both triumphs and challenges.
While he led Pakistan through several memorable victories, recent struggles in the Asia Cup, the 50-over World Cup, and the harrowing exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, weighed heavily on his leadership qualities.
While Shan Masood has taken over the Test side, Pakistan are in search of their next white-ball skipper.
With this shift, both fans and former players like Basit Ali hope to see Babar flourish in his role as a top-order batsman once again.