Wasim Akram says stepping down from captaincy will 'boost' Babar Azam's performance

Ex-cricketer noted he 'stands with Babar' about decision to exit as captain, suggested he 'should enjoy cricket' now

Former Pakistan cricketer, Wasim Akram has expressed his support for Babar Azam's decision, stating that stepping down from captaincy will allow him to focus more on his batting and eliminate unnecessary stress.

Babar informed fans of his decision to step down as captain of the white-ball teams through a social media post in recent days.

His leadership has seen Pakistan's team underperform, which has led to appreciation for his decision.

In response to an inquiry from the Cricket Pakistan representative, Akram said that Babar must have made his decision thoughtfully.

He likely consulted with his seniors, mentors, and friends, including his father.

"This would not have been an easy decision, but we should respect it. I stand with Babar. He should enjoy his cricket. With reduced pressure, he will be able to focus more on his batting,” he said.

“I believe that stepping down from captaincy will significantly improve Babar Azam's performance. He must have experienced unnecessary stress due to captaincy, and now he can fully concentrate on his game, win a few matches for Pakistan, and I am confident he will do just that," Akram said.

It’s important to note that following Babar's resignation, Pakistan is now searching for a new captain for the white-ball format.

Names such as Mohammad Rizwan have come up in discussions.

The decision regarding leadership rests solely with the PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, who is currently busy with political matters and will take steps regarding this issue when time permits.

Pakistan’s white-ball team is set to tour Australia next month.

AB de Villiers backs Babar

Yesterday, former South African captain AB de Villiers expressed his support for Babar Azam after the Pakistani star stepped down as captain of the white-ball formats.

Babar, who had been leading Pakistan for several years, made the announcement through social media, stating that he wanted to focus on his batting moving forward.

His decision has sparked reactions across the cricket world, with many surprised by the sudden move.

In his statement, Babar explained that leading the team had been an honour, but it was time for him to step back from the captaincy to prioritise his performance as a player.

He expressed his intention to contribute more as a batsman for Pakistan.

The 29-year-old’s decision marked the end of his captaincy in ODI and T20 formats, but he remains an integral part of the Test team.

AB de Villiers reacted to Babar’s announcement by congratulating him on his tenure as captain.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), De Villiers wrote, "Congrats. You’ve been great. Now for plenty more runs for your team.”

His message of encouragement highlighted the respect Babar commands in the international cricket community.

With Babar stepping down, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has emerged as the top candidate for the ODI captaincy.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Haris is being considered for the leadership role in T20 internationals.

As Pakistan prepares for upcoming series, including a Test series against England, Babar remains a key figure in the Test format, where he will next lead Pakistan in a three-match series starting October 7.