Mohammad Yousuf Urges Babar Azam to Seek Overseas Coaching Before Returning to Domestic Cricket
Former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf has advised Babar Azam to work on his technical issues at an academy in England or Australia before playing first-class cricket, following a below-par showing in the ODI tri-series.
Former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf has called on Babar Azam to address his technical shortcomings through specialised coaching abroad before returning to first-class cricket, warning that continued struggles in domestic games could erode the batter's confidence. In a post on social media platform X, Yousuf suggested that Babar train at an academy in England or Australia, arguing that the former captain remains Pakistan's premier batter and can regain his best form with the right guidance.
"I don't think Babar Azam should be playing first-class cricket until he fixes his technical issues through specialised coaching," Yousuf wrote. "Struggling in domestic cricket could further harm his confidence and career." He added that Babar should be sent to an academy in England or Australia, saying he had raised the same point four years ago and hoped the advice would now be heeded.
The remarks follow a difficult ODI tri-series involving Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka, where Babar managed just 118 runs across five matches at an average of 23.60 and a strike rate of 74.21. He failed to register a half-century, recording scores of 45, 34, 10 and 29 before being dismissed for a duck in the final against Sri Lanka.
Babar's ODI consistency has been a talking point for some time. Since his 151 against Nepal in September 2023, he has scored only one century in the format, ending a two-year drought with a hundred against Sri Lanka in November 2025. That was followed by a half-century against Australia in Rawalpindi in May 2026, but he has not passed fifty in ODIs since.
Despite the dip, Babar is scheduled to represent Lahore Whites in the 2026-27 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, which begins on November 3. Yousuf's intervention places renewed attention on how Pakistan manages the workload and development of its most prominent batter, with the debate centring on whether domestic cricket or overseas technical work is the better route back to form.
The suggestion from a former international of Yousuf's standing is likely to fuel discussion among fans and selectors about the support structure around Babar. For now, the player's immediate commitment remains the domestic first-class season, where his performances will be watched closely as Pakistan weighs its options ahead of upcoming international assignments.
