Former South African captain AB de Villiers has expressed his support for Babar Azam’s decision to step down from the white-ball captaincy of the Pakistan cricket team. After announcing his resignation, Babar emphasized his desire to focus on his playing performance and personal growth, citing the heavy workload that comes with captaincy.
De Villiers congratulated Babar on his decision, suggesting that it might enable him to concentrate on his game and regain his best form. In his response on social media, De Villiers wrote, “Congrats. You’ve been great. Now for plenty more runs for your team,” underscoring his belief in Babar’s talent and potential .
Babar’s journey as captain has been tumultuous, having been reappointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in March 2024 after a previous resignation in November 2023. His initial stint ended amid criticism following disappointing performances in major tournaments, including the Asia Cup and the World Cup . Reflecting on his captaincy experience, Babar noted the importance of balancing cricket with personal life, stating that he wants to enjoy his batting and spend more time with his family .
As Babar steps back from leadership, he remains committed to contributing to the team as a player, looking forward to scoring runs and helping Pakistan succeed on the international stage .
