Wasim Akram backs Babar Azam's decision to step down as captain

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. 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.