The Albany Gazette - Babar Azam resigns as Pakistan's white-ball skipper

"I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men's cricket team. It's been an honour to lead this team, but it's time for me to step down and focus on my playing role," Azam, re-appointed skipper in May this year, tweeted late on Tuesday.

Azam's resignation came a week before Pakistan's three-match Test series against England, starting in Multan on October 7, in which he was named in the 15-man squad.

Shan Masood will lead the Test side.

Pakistan also have a white-ball tour of Australia next month where Azam was due to lead the side, but now Pakistan Cricket Board will have to name a new skipper.

"Captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but it's added a significant workload. I want to prioritise 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."

Azam, who turns 30 in a fortnight, was sacked as captain of all three formats in November last year following Pakistan's first-round exit from the ODI World Cup held in India.

After a change in the Pakistan Cricket Board chairmanship, with Mohsin Naqvi replacing Zaka Ashraf, Azam was re-instated as white-ball skipper in May, taking over from Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Azam led Pakistan's disastrous Twenty20 World Cup campaign -- co-hosted by the United States and the West Indies -- in June in which they were upset by the United States and lost to arch-rivals India to go out in the first round.

Azam has led Pakistan in 20 Tests, 43 ODIs and 85 T20Is since being first appointed skipper for the first time in 2019.

Azam said he remained thankful for the opportunity to lead the country.

"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," he wrote.

(A.Thompson--TAG)