Babar Azam steps down: AB de Villiers says time for plenty more runs for Pakistan

AB de Villiers backed Babar Azam's decision to step down as the captain of the Pakistan white-ball teams. Babar was made the captain once again before the T20 World Cup.

In Short

• Babar resigned for the second time in 10 months
• De Villiers backed Babar's call to step down
• Babar had initially resigned after the ODI World Cup

South African legend AB de Villiers has backed Babar Azam after the star batter stepped down as the captain of the Pakistan white-ball teams. Babar, who had stepped down from captaincy in all 3 formats after the ODI World Cup last year, was handed back the job ahead of the T20 World Cup in the USA and the Carribean. However, Pakistan underperformed massively and exited the competition in the group stages.

Babar's own form has been heavily criticised as the star batter's future as skipper was being scrutinised. The 29-year-old would then announce his decision to step down from the job on October 1, as he resigned for the second time in 10 months. De Villiers would support the decision and said it was time for Babar to get plenty of runs for Pakistan.

"Congrats. You’ve been great. Now for plenty more runs for your team," said De Villiers.

Babar Azam's full statement

Babar Azam took to social media on Wednesday to announce his resignation as Pakistan's captain in both ODIs and T20Is. He revealed that he had informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the team management of his decision back in September. Babar explained that the burden of captaincy had increased his workload, and by stepping down, he aims to focus on enhancing his batting performance.

This decision follows a recent dip in his form, with Babar dropping out of the top 10 in the ICC Test rankings, marking a rare slump in his otherwise stellar career.

"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. 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. 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," said Babar.