Gary Kirsten's role in Babar Azam's captaincy resignation revealed: 'Some part of his report became public'

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Babar Azam's resignation as the T20I captain of the Pakistan team was triggered by a leaked report by head coach Gary Kirtsen and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood, as per a PTI source.

Babar Azam, who was reinstated as Pakistan T20I captain a couple of months ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, endured a horrid run in his second stint. The Pakistan team settled for a draw against second-string New Zealand side at home, lost a match against Ireland, a series against England, before finally losing to the USA and India to crash out from the first round of T20 World Cup 2024.

"Babar was not happy with the observations and recommendations of Kirsten and even assistant coach, Azhar Mahmood and felt he was solely being blamed for the disappointing performances," one insider was quoted as saying by PTI.

"He had indicated to the cricket board after some parts of Kirsten's report became public that he was not interested in remaining captain." The insider said Babar had complained to some board officials, who had worked a lot with him, that it was unfortunate the PCB didn't take his past performances and results into their consideration nor showed the required confidence and trust in him.

Another insider said that the final nail in the coffin was when the PCB didn't announce him as captain of the ODI squad while confirming him to lead the national T20 side before the World Cup.

Kirsten, in his report to the board, discussed the dressing room environment and also the behaviour and non-cooperation of some players in England and the T20 Cup World Cup.

He also conveyed his opinion on whether Babar was equipped to handle the pressures of captaincy and his more significant role for the team as a specialist batter after the mental stress and criticism he had gone through since last year.

According to one source, the PCB is in no hurry to announce who will replace Babar as white-ball captain as internally they have told Kirsten, selector Asad Shafiq and some members of the selection committee to take a decision and make a recommendation after much thought and debate.

"Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has made it clear he wants minutes of all official discussions by the selection committee that includes both foreign head coaches to be recorded so that a clear reason is on record for making the appointment," he added.

(With Input From PTI)