Babar Azam’s decision to step down from Pakistan captaincy has generated a mixed reaction from his teammates, with a few of them taking to social media to praise the 29-year-old’s contributions as the leader while some others remained silent.

Babar on Wednesday announced his decision to relinquish Pakistan leadership roles across all formats after the team failed to enter the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Pacer Naseem Shah, who had missed the marquee event with an injury, took to X to extend his support for Babar.

“Four years of pure joy, it has been an absolute honour to have played and made my white ball debut under your leadership. You have always led from the front and made us believe in ‘One Team, One Dream’,”wrote Shah.

Wicketkeeper batter and often a deputy to Babar, Muhammad Rizwan too penned an emotional tribute.

“You are definitely one of the greatest batsmen Pakistan has ever seen.”

Middle-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed too was effusive in praise for Babar’s captaincy.

“It’s been an honour to have represented Pakistan under your captaincy.”

A few former players such as Muhammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal, Azhar Ali and Azhar Mahmood too appreciated Babar for leading the team well.

There were talks of a rift in the Pakistan squad after their modest run in the World Cup, with a few players unhappy about the way Babar led the side.

Perhaps, it reflected in the silence of some of the other teammates such as Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali.

Hafeez target

Former Test captain Mohammad Hafeez expressed his delight at being appointed the team director of the Pakistan side and asserted that they would strive for excellence together. Hafeez will also be serving as a coach and he will be consulted when the PCB appoints the new support staff of the team for the forthcoming tours to Australia and New Zealand.