Senior batter Babar Azam decided to relinquish Pakistan’s white-ball captaincy after he faced criticism in the report from coach Gary Kirsten, which was submitted after the T20 World Cup 2024 debacle.

According to a PTI report, insiders close to the Pakistan team revealed that Babar had lost his mojo after the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, where the team fared poorly under his captaincy.

"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, as quoted 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 claimed that Babar wasn’t happy when the PCB didn't announce him as skipper of the ODI squad and only named him the captain of the national T20 side.

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

He also shared his views on whether Babar was equipped to handle the pressure of captaincy and perform his job 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 haste to appoint a new white-ball captain. They have reportedly 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 PTI Inputs)