Salman Butt explains the speculation behind Babar Azam’s resignation as Pakistan captain

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has claimed that Babar Azam‘s resignation because the white-ball captain was on the playing cards for a very long time, and he was not stunned by the star batter’s name.

Babar has not too long ago resigned as Pakistan white-ball captain, and PCB has additionally formally accepted his resignation, which got here within the wake of coach Gary Kirsten’s secret report.

As Babar stepped down from the management function to focus on his batting, Butt believes that this choice comes as a reduction for the right-handed batter, particularly amidst rising criticisms and pressures surrounding him over his and the workforce’s efficiency.

Salman Butt sees Babar Azam’s resignation as Pakistan captain as huge reduction

Babar has confronted an uphill battle in current months, struggling to search out his kind whereas the Males in Inexperienced had been knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2024 in a surprising group-stage exit. Many have pointed fingers at his captaincy, questioning his means to information the workforce successfully below strain.

Nevertheless, Butt claimed that this ongoing scrutiny has solely added to the burden on Babar, hindering his efficiency as a batter. The previous captain emphatically said that Babar’s focus ought to shift totally to his batting prowess, and his expertise with the bat are extra essential for the workforce’s success.

Together with his distinctive expertise, Butt emphasised that Babar generally is a game-changer for the Pakistan cricket workforce if he dedicates himself absolutely to his batting somewhat than the calls for of captaincy. He additionally known as Babar a terrific batter, as he’s gearing up for the three-match Check collection in opposition to England.

Salman Butt stated on his YouTube channel: “Babar Azam has resigned from white-ball captaincy, and I believe there’s nothing to speak about it. I believe he has carried out the precise factor and will have carried out it earlier… Individuals had been undermining him, and it was the precise choice from Babar. He ought to focus extra on his batting, and it will likely be extra precious for the Pakistan cricket workforce, and he’s additionally a terrific batter.”

Babar Azam’s troubled tenure as Pakistan captain briefly

In the meantime, Babar Azam’s tenure as Pakistan’s captain has been marked by a collection of disappointments, failing to safe any vital title since his appointment in 2019. One of many few highlights throughout his management was Pakistan’s historic T20I win in opposition to India within the 2021 T20 World Cup held in Dubai.

Then, Pakistan reached the finals of the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, the place they fell brief in opposition to England, and Babar’s captaincy was blamed for the misplaced alternative. The setbacks continued as Pakistan’s efficiency within the Asia Cup final yr was lackluster, going through Tremendous 4 elimination after a slender two-wicket loss to Sri Lanka in Colombo.

A story of two disappointing World Cups for Babar

Later, issues solely worsened as Pakistan did not advance to the group stage within the ODI World Cup 2023 hosted by India, resulting in a shake-up in management. Shaheen Afridi took over as T20I captain however confronted a fast removing after a disappointing 4-1 collection loss to New Zealand.

Babar Azam was ultimately reinstated because the captain for the white-ball codecs, whereas Shan Masood took cost of the Check workforce.

Nevertheless, Pakistan’s struggles continued, and Babar Azam confronted one of the vital humiliating moments of his captaincy within the 2024 T20 World Cup, the place they suffered an surprising defeat in opposition to the co-hosts, the USA, a non-test-playing nation, of their opening match.