Former Pakistan captain and ex-selection committee member Mohammad Yousuf has disclosed that he stepped down from his role after facing strong resistance over his stance on Babar Azam.
Yousuf revealed that he had recommended resting Babar Azam from international cricket to help him recover form and work on technical adjustments, but his proposal was met with intense opposition within cricketing circles. According to Yousuf, critics repeatedly questioned the idea of dropping or resting one of Pakistan’s premier batters, creating internal friction during selection discussions.
He stated that the continued disagreements ultimately pushed him to resign, saying he told officials that he would step aside if his professional assessment could not be implemented. Although his resignation was initially not accepted, Yousuf claimed it was approved after he submitted it three times.
The former batting great also publicly criticized Babar Azam’s recent performances, asserting that the batter’s technique has declined and that he has struggled to regain consistent form over the past three years. Yousuf maintained that a temporary break from international cricket, combined with focused technical training at the academy level, could help Babar rebuild confidence and return stronger.
His remarks come amid Pakistan’s disappointing campaign in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where the team suffered a 61-run defeat to arch-rivals India national cricket team in Colombo. The loss intensified scrutiny on senior players and reignited debates about team selection, leadership, and long-term strategy.
Yousuf has previously expressed concerns about the direction of Pakistan cricket, criticizing experienced players including Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan. He has argued that the current core group’s era may be nearing its end and emphasized the need to introduce fresh talent to ensure sustainable success.
He further warned that occasional victories against lower-ranked sides should not mask deeper structural and performance-related issues within Pakistan cricket, calling for strategic reforms to restore competitiveness at the highest level.
