Cricket

Babar Azam, the prolific Pakistani batsman, has relinquished his captaincy of the national white-ball teams for the second time in less than a year. In a heartfelt statement, Babar cited the need to prioritize his batting and reduce his workload as the primary reasons for his decision.Babar's first stint as captain, which began in 2019, was marked by several notable achievements. Under his leadership, Pakistan secured multi-format series victories over South Africa, an ODI series triumph against Australia, and reached the semi-finals and final of two consecutive T20 World Cups.However, his second stint as captain, which commenced in April 2023, proved to be less successful. Pakistan managed to win only six out of 13 T20Is during this period, including a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign where they were eliminated in the first round after defeats to the USA and India.In his resignation statement, Babar expressed his gratitude for the support he received during his tenure as captain. He emphasized that the decision to step down was made in the best interests of his personal growth and the team's performance."It's been an honor to lead this team, but it's time for me to step down and focus on my playing role," Babar said. "Captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but it's added a significant workload. By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on my game and personal growth."Babar's resignation has left a void in Pakistan's white-ball leadership. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to announce a replacement, but the team's next assignment is a tour of Australia in March, where they will play three T20Is and three ODIs.

Nick Hockley, the Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive, has announced his resignation, effective March 2023, after five years at the helm. Hockley's tenure has been marked by significant challenges and achievements, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and overseeing the game's financial stability.Hockley initially assumed the role on an interim basis in 2020 following the resignation of Kevin Roberts. He was appointed full-time in May 2021 after successfully guiding the game through the 2020-21 season amidst border closures and the successful hosting of the Test series against India.During his tenure, Hockley faced challenges such as a standoff with broadcaster Channel Seven over a discount, which was eventually resolved. He also oversaw a smoother MoU agreement compared to 2017, resulting in significant pay increases in the women's game.Hockley had to deal with the controversial departure of Tim Paine as Test captain and the subsequent transition to Pat Cummins. He also attempted to overturn David Warner's lifetime leadership ban, but the case fell apart in late 2022.Despite these challenges, Hockley's tenure has been marked by significant on-field success. The men's and women's teams have won T20 and ODI World Cups, while the men claimed the World Test Championship and the women won gold in the Commonwealth Games. The men's team also toured Pakistan for the first time since 1998.Hockley has also led the implementation of CA's Multicultural Action Plan, aiming to improve participation and attendance among South Asian communities.CA chair Mike Baird praised Hockley's leadership, stating that he "navigated the sport through a period of unprecedented challenge during the pandemic and has delivered significant growth and stability."Prior to his elevation to the top CA role, Hockley had been involved in organizing major cricket events, including the 2020 T20 Women's World Cup and the 2015 men's World Cup.

Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sri Lankan all-rounder, has unexpectedly resigned as the T20I captain of the national team after holding the position for approximately six months. In a statement released by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Hasaranga expressed that his decision was made in the best interests of Sri Lankan cricket, without providing specific reasons."Sri Lanka will always receive my unwavering support as a player, and I will continue to stand by my team and leadership," Hasaranga stated in his resignation letter.Hasaranga's resignation comes as a surprise, considering that he was appointed to the captaincy role in August 2023. During his tenure, Sri Lanka won six out of ten T20Is, including bilateral series victories against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. However, the team's disappointing performance at the recent T20 World Cup, where they failed to qualify for the Super Eight, may have influenced his decision.Despite the team's struggles, Hasaranga had publicly expressed his enthusiasm for the captaincy role and had even prioritized Sri Lanka commitments over lucrative IPL appearances. He also faced a two-match suspension for abusing an umpire during his stint as captain.With Hasaranga's departure, Sri Lanka Cricket will need to find a suitable replacement for the T20I captaincy. Charith Asalanka, who led the team in Hasaranga's absence during his suspension, is a potential candidate. Asalanka also captains the Jaffna Kings in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL).Sri Lanka's next T20I assignment is a three-match series against India at the end of January. The team will also have a new coach for this series, with Sanath Jayasuriya taking over as interim coach following Chris Silverwood's resignation after the World Cup. Mahela Jayawardene had also stepped down as consultant coach last month.

Mahela Jayawardene, the former Sri Lankan batting legend, has resigned as the team's consultant coach after just six months into his one-year extension. The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced Jayawardene's resignation with immediate effect, citing his desire to step down due to misalignment with the current decision-making process.Jayawardene's tenure as consultant coach was marked by significant changes to the national team ecosystem and the High-Performance Center. He played a pivotal role in implementing a cultural shift within Sri Lanka cricket, emphasizing the importance of the National Super League and technical improvements at the High Performance Centre.Despite mixed results on the field, including an Asia Cup triumph in 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023, Jayawardene's contributions behind the scenes were highly valued by SLC. However, his absence at the ongoing T20 World Cup in the US and West Indies raised eyebrows, with Sanath Jayasuriya, appointed as cricket consultant in December 2022, accompanying the team instead.In his resignation letter, Jayawardene expressed his concerns about the current decision-making process, stating that it was no longer fully aligned with the direction he had been taking. He emphasized the importance of data and performance analytics, areas where he believed there was a lack of alignment.Jayawardene's resignation comes as a surprise, given SLC's previous desire to extend his role. However, it highlights the challenges faced by coaches in navigating the complex decision-making processes within cricket boards.Despite his departure, Jayawardene's legacy as a coach remains intact. He is the second-most successful coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL), having led the Mumbai Indians to five titles. He currently serves as the global head of performance for the Mumbai Indians and its franchises.