Mohammad Yousuf Slams Babar Azam: ‘He Is Nothing’ Compared to Pakistan Legends
Pakistan secured a spot in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup following a decisive victory over Namibia, becoming the final team to progress from the group phase. However, the qualification narrative has been overshadowed by intense scrutiny directed at senior batter Babar Azam. Following a string of low scores and tactical controversies, former captain and selector Mohammad Yousuf has delivered a withering assessment of Babar’s standing in cricket history.
Technical Flaws and Selection Controversies
Babar Azam’s recent performances have raised alarms within the Pakistan cricket fraternity. The batter has accumulated only 66 runs across three matches in the current tournament. During the match against Namibia, tensions escalated when Babar, despite being padded up, did not take the field to bat—a decision that reportedly frustrated skipper Salman Ali Agha.
Mohammad Yousuf, who recently resigned from the selection committee, addressed the situation on the How Does It Work? podcast. He rejected the notion that Babar is merely suffering from a temporary dip in form, pointing instead to fundamental technical regression.
“I’ve been saying this for 2-3 years that Babar’s technique has gone for a toss,” Yousuf stated. “I’ve been hearing that he is out-of-form, but he is not. A player can only be out-of-form for two to three series, and he has not scored runs for the past two-three years. The moment I suggested resting Babar, everyone suddenly turned against me. I had to resign because of this.”
The ‘Mentality’ Debate
Yousuf also dismantled the prevailing defense regarding player mindset, arguing that mental fortitude cannot compensate for a lack of technical execution.
“The churan [powder] of mindset is being sold very wrongly,” Yousuf added. “Until you don’t have the skill, the mind can’t do anything. If you don’t have the skill, what will the mind do?”
Comparison to Cricket Icons
In a direct comparison that places Babar’s legacy in question, Yousuf measured the current star against Pakistan’s batting greats from the 1990s and early 2000s. He specifically named Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar, and Zaheer Abbas as players operating on a tier Babar has not reached.
“Inzy Bhai and Saeed Bhai’s level can’t be matched. They were very big players,” Yousuf said. “Babar is nothing in front of them.”
Super 8 Group Stage Schedule
Despite the internal friction, Pakistan must prepare for the Super 8 stage. They have been drawn in Group 2, setting up high-stakes encounters against England, New Zealand, and host nation Sri Lanka. The team will look to reset their strategy as they face top-tier opposition.
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| February 21 | New Zealand | Colombo |
| TBA | England | Pallekele |
| TBA | Sri Lanka | Pallekele |
Pakistan’s campaign continues on February 21 against New Zealand in Colombo.
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