Former South Africa captain and legendary batter AB de Villiers reacted to Babar Azam’s resignation from the white-ball captaincy of the Pakistan men’s cricket team.
Babar on Tuesday, stunned the cricket fraternity when he announced that he was stepping down from the role of Pakistan’s white-ball captain with immediate effect.
In a detailed statement, issued on his social media platforms, the right-handed batter shared he made the decision to focus on his “playing role”.
“Dear Fans, I’m sharing some news with you today. I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, effective as of my notification to the PCB and Team Management last month,” stated Babar.
“It’s been an honour to lead this team, but it’s time for me to step down and focus on my playing role,” he added.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
Babar Azam termed his time as Pakistan captain a rewarding experience but claimed it added workload for the star batter, who wants to enjoy his batting.
“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.
“By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on my game and personal growth.
“I’m grateful for your unwavering support and belief in me. Your enthusiasm has meant the world to me.
“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and excited to continue contributing to the team as a player.
“Thank you for your love and support.”
Meanwhile, South Africa’s batting great AB de Villiers backed Babar Azam’s decision and expressed his hope that the right-handed batter would score more runs after relinquishing the leadership responsibility.
“Congrats. You’ve been great. Now for plenty more runs for your team,” wrote de Villiers in reply to Babar’s retirement post on X, formerly Twitter.
READ: Former pacer believes Kirsten’s report led to Babar’s resignation