Yousuf’s call on Babar Azam form
Former Pakistan batting great Mohammad Yousuf has said Babar Azam form needs specialised overseas coaching, urging the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to send the 32-year-old to a renowned academy in England or Australia rather than put him through more domestic red-ball cricket while he struggles.
Speaking on social media platform X, Yousuf said he felt for Babar after a lean home ODI tri-series against England and Sri Lanka, in which Babar managed only 118 runs across five matches at an average of 23.60. That run has sharpened debate over Babar Azam form concerns and how the national side’s leading batter should rebuild.
Why he wants a break from domestic cricket
Yousuf argued that trying to fix the slump in the forthcoming Quaid-e-Azam Trophy — Pakistan’s domestic first-class competition — could deepen mental fatigue and hurt confidence further. He said Babar should not play first-class cricket until technical problems are addressed through focused coaching.
“Instead of suffering mental fatigue in local matches, I would recommend the PCB to send Babar to a renowned overseas academy,” Yousuf said. Working with top technical coaches in tough conditions such as Australia or England, he added, would let Babar “rectify his game in a workshop.”
Still Pakistan’s top batter, he insists
Yousuf was clear that Babar remains Pakistan’s best batsman and still has the natural talent to handle international attacks. What is missing, in his view, is high-performance coaching and targeted technical change so Babar can find scoring rhythm again.
He recalled giving the same advice years earlier. “I had told people the same thing about him a few years back when he was struggling and I am again telling you to forget about the matches, and let him be with the technical guys so that he can again hit that vintage world-class form quickly,” he said. On X he added that he raised the point about four years ago and “nobody listened,” and asked for the advice to be taken seriously now.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- About four years ago: Yousuf says he first urged specialised coaching for Babar during an earlier struggle.
- Recently: In the home ODI tri-series with England and Sri Lanka, Babar scored 118 runs in five matches at 23.60.
- Now: Yousuf renews the call on X, asking the PCB to favour an England or Australia academy over Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and other first-class cricket until technical work is done.
Any PCB decision on travel, training camps or Babar’s next domestic appearances has not been set out in the material available; Yousuf’s public appeal is the development on record.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Mohammad Yousuf ne kaha hai ke Babar Azam ki form theek karne ke liye England ya Australia ke kisi achhe academy mein coaching leni chahiye. Unke mutabiq ghar par Quaid Trophy khelne se abhi faida kam aur thakaan zyada ho sakti hai. Babar pehle paanch ODIs mein sirf 118 runs bana sake, average 23.60 tha. Yousuf kehte hain Babar ab bhi Pakistan ka best batsman hai, bas technical coaching se woh phir pehle jaisi batting laa sakta hai.
