Pakistan’s right-handed batter Babar Azam announced his resignation from captaincy on Tuesday. He was leading the national cricket team in the shorter formats of the game, ODI and T20I.

“I’m sharing some news with you today. I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, effective as of my notification to the PCB and Team Management last month,” he said in a social media post.

Azam, who received the flak for the team’s lacklustre performance in the World Cup, said it was an honour to lead the team, “but it’s time for me to step down and focus on my playing role.”

The announcement comes months before the country hosts the Champions Trophy. Pakistan, the reigning champions, would host the prestigious tournament in February next year

Azam added that captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but claimed that it has added a “significant” workload. “I want to prioritize my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family, which brings me joy.”

By stepping down, the right-handed batter said that he would gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on his game and personal growth.

He thanked his fans for their consistent support. “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and excited to continue contributing to the team as a player.”