Johannesburg: Former South African captain AB De Villiers has expressed his confidence in Babar Azam, the right-handed batsman of the Pakistan cricket team, to score significantly more runs for his national team following his decision to relinquish the captaincy position on Wednesday.
Babar Azam has announced his intention to step down from his role as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, citing the need to "prioritize" his performance.
In response to Babar Azam's announcement on his official social media platforms, De Villiers took to his own social media accounts to offer his congratulations and encouragement.
"Congratulations. You've been exceptional. Now, it's time for you to lead your team to victory," De Villiers responded to Babar Azam's post regarding his decision to step down.
Under Babar Azam's leadership, the Pakistan cricket team has not achieved victory in a major tournament since his tenure began in 2019. The team's most recent major setback occurred last year during the Asia Cup, where they were eliminated in the Super 4 stage following a two-wicket defeat by Sri Lanka in Colombo.
In a statement on his official social media accounts, Babar Azam acknowledged the honor of leading the Pakistan men's cricket team. He explained that his decision to step down from the captaincy was driven by a desire for clarity, allowing him to focus on his personal development and performance.
"Dear Fans, I am sharing some news with you today. I have decided to resign from my position as captain of the Pakistan men's cricket team, effective as of my notification to the PCB and Team Management last month. It has been an honor to guide this team, but it's time for me to step down and concentrate on my role as a player. The captaincy has been a fulfilling experience, yet it has also brought about a considerable workload. I aim to prioritize my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family, which is important to me. By stepping down, I hope to gain clarity and dedicate more energy to my game and personal growth. I am grateful for your constant support and belief in me. Your enthusiasm has been invaluable to me. I am proud of our achievements together and look forward to contributing further to the team as a player. Thank you for your love and support," Babar Azam expressed on his social media platforms.
Babar Azam made his Test debut in 2016 against the West Indies and has since played in 54 matches, scoring 3,962 runs at a strike rate of 54.63.
He has also participated in 117 ODI matches, scoring 5,729 runs at a strike rate of 88.75.
Since his debut in T20Is against England in 2016, Babar Azam has appeared in 123 matches, accumulating 4,145 runs at a strike rate of 129.08.
