ODI World Cup 2023: Babar Azam said this while resigning as captain of Pakistan team; PCB said this

Babar Azam has announced his resignation as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team across all formats following a disappointing ODI World Cup 2023 campaign. The team failed to qualify for the semi-finals, securing only four wins in nine matches.

In a statement, Babar expressed his gratitude to the fans and acknowledged the highs and lows during his four-year captaincy. He highlighted the collective efforts that led to Pakistan's No. 1 spot in white-ball cricket. Despite the difficult decision, Babar emphasized his commitment to continuing as a player in all three formats, supporting the new captain and team with his experience.

Shaheen captain of T20, Shan Masood new test captain

In place of Babar, fast bowler Shaheen Afridi was made the new T20 captain. Batsman Shan Masood will captain the Test team, while the new captain has not been announced yet in the ODI..

During the World Cup, Babar scored 320 runs in nine matches, ranking as the third-highest scorer for Pakistan with an average of 40 and a strike rate of 82.90. While no official announcement has been made about a replacement, Shan Masood is seen as the front-runner for the Test captaincy.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed that Babar was given the option to continue as Test captain. The PCB expressed respect for Babar's decision and pledged continued support for him as a player. PCB chairman Ramiz Raja acknowledged Babar as a world-class player and emphasized the board's commitment to supporting him.

However, according to some reports, PCB put pressure on Babar Azam to leave the captaincy after his poor performance in the ODI World Cup. During the tournament itself, National Team Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq also resigned from his post. Now Babar has also left the captaincy of all three formats.

Team director Mickey Arthur and head coach Grant Bradburn are expected to retain their positions.

The team is set to depart for Australia on November 30, with a warm-up game against the Prime Minister's XI scheduled at the Manuka Oval from December 6 to 9. The first Test against Australia begins in Perth on December 14. The team will also play five T20Is in New Zealand.