Kirsten's observations & recommendations led to Babar quitting captaincy

Karachi: Premier batter Babar Azam lost his interest in captaining the national white-ball teams after a critical report submitted by the limited overs head coach Gary Kirsten to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), revealed insiders.

In discussions with insiders in the PCB and those close to the Pakistan team, it was apparent that Babar had lost his mojo after the T20 World Cup in July in which the team fared poorly under him.

"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 said.

"He had indicated to the 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 source 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 side ahead of the T20 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 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 name Babar's replacement as internally it had told Kirsten, selector Asad Shafiq and some members of the selection committee to 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 (Kirsten and Test coach Jason Gillespie) to be recorded so that a clear reason is on record for making the appointment," he added.