Pakistan’s cricketing star Babar Azam has stepped down as captain, a decision that was not initiated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), according to sources.

Contrary to speculation, insiders confirmed that Babar was not asked to leave the leadership position but made the decision independently.

Reports suggest that Gary Kirsten, the national white-ball coach, has been actively involved in the captaincy debate. Kirsten, who visited Pakistan in July for World Cup preparations and meetings, had ongoing discussions with Babar regarding his role as captain.

While he supported Babar to continue leading the team in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), he was keen on introducing a new captain for the T20 squad, a plan he had proposed during his July visit.

Despite Kirsten's efforts to persuade Babar to stay on as ODI captain, Babar ultimately chose to resign. Sources close to the matter indicate that his decision stemmed from growing distance within the team and a perceived lack of influence.

Following Pakistan’s World Cup campaign, Babar reportedly found himself excluded from key consultations and felt disconnected from the board’s decision-making process.

Babar informed a senior PCB official of his intention to step down before making the announcement. His resignation paves the way for changes within the team’s leadership. Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan has emerged as the frontrunner for captaincy, with sources suggesting that he will also be consulted on team selection moving forward.

Kirsten’s vision includes the introduction of a fresh T20 captain, part of a broader strategy aimed at preparing the team for future challenges.

The official announcement of the new captain is expected soon, as the PCB looks ahead to the upcoming series and tournaments.