Babar announced his resignation from the Pakistan captaincy on Wednesday (November 15). In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “It’s a difficult decision, but I feel it’s the right time for this call.”

The announcement came after Babar met with interim PCB Chairman, Zaka Ashraf, following Pakistan’s underwhelming 2023 World Cup campaign. While the interim committee currently in place at the PCB does not have the power to remove Babar from the post, it’s understood he was asked to carry on as Test match captain only, but declined the offer.

Speaking on a TV show in Pakistan, former fast bowler Akhtar criticised the treatment of Babar from the PCB. “The treatment with Babar Azam was unjust,” he said. “I categorically say that in such a short time, he should not have been removed from the captaincy of Test matches. Even though he said he didn’t want captaincy of all formats and the board was insisting on him captaining Test matches, he shouldn’t have resigned, and he shouldn’t have been pushed out.”

Babar has led the Test side in 20 matches since 2021, winning ten of them and losing six. He most recently led the side to a 2-0 series-win over Sri Lanka earlier this year.

“They should have given him 1.5 months without saying a word,” said Akhtar. “But the board didn’t do that. We are experts in removing someone from their position and this is how the entire management of Pakistan works, just remove and banish… There has been injustice with Babar.”

“If I were there, I would have given him this month and then worked on a new strategy because now there will be talk of resolving the rift.”

Shan Masood has been appointed as Pakistan’s new Test captain while Shaheen Afridi will take over the T20I reigns. Pakistan’s next international assignment is in Australia for a three-match Test series next month.