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Azam Steps Down, Rizwan Set to Lead

Azam Steps Down, Rizwan Set to Lead

Babar Azam has resigned as the captain of Pakistan’s limited-overs cricket team for the second time, triggering a significant leadership change within the squad. Mohammad Rizwan is poised to succeed Azam at the helm for the shorter formats of the game.

Azam made his departure public with a statement published on X, a social media platform, close to midnight on Wednesday. In a move that surprised many, his decision to step down is attributed to his eagerness to hone his batting skills further and to alleviate the pressures that come with captaincy duties.

It was after Pakistan’s disappointing performance at the ODI World Cup in India in 2023 that Babar Azam first relinquished his role as captain. Despite this, he reclaimed the position, only to see the team falter again under his leadership during the T20 World Cup in the Americas in June.

Expressing his gratitude for the support he received during his tenure as captain, Azam has expressed excitement to continue contributing to the team, now solely as a player. Babar’s contributions as captain have been notable, but he believes that shedding the leadership mantle will allow him to channel his focus on batting, an aspect of his game that he is renowned for internationally.

Currently, Pakistan’s cricket team is preparing to embark on three away tours following a home Test series against England, which kicks off on October 7. The coming months will be crucial for Pakistan cricket as they navigate this transition and the challenges of the international cricket circuit.

As the likelihood of Mohammad Rizwan stepping into the role becomes apparent, there is curiosity about how his leadership style will differ from Azam’s and what changes it may bring to the team dynamics. Known for his performance behind the stumps and with the bat, Rizwan’s potential captaincy could energize the Pakistan team in a new direction.

Babar Azam’s resignation and the anticipated appointment of Mohammad Rizwan as the new limited-overs captain is poised to be a defining moment for Pakistan cricket. With the focus shifting back to individual performance, it will be intriguing to see how Babar fares without the weight of captaincy and how Rizwan captains a team with high expectations from cricket enthusiasts around the globe.

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Ian Horne
Ian goes back to the very early days of CrunchSports, having been tirelessly covering soccer, cricket and motorsports for us for over 10 years.

Ian goes back to the very early days of CrunchSports, having been tirelessly covering soccer, cricket and motorsports for us for over 10 years.

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