Amidst the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, Mohammad Yousuf recently opened up about the internal friction within Pakistan's cricket management, revealing that he was pressured to step down as a selector after suggesting that Babar Azam be rested from the T20I format. While Babar has remained a constant fixture in Pakistan’s World Cup squads over the years, his place in the shortest format has become a point of intense debate. Critics, including Yousuf, argue that his traditional technique and relatively low strike rate are no longer compatible with the evolving demands of modern T20 cricket.
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Statistical evidence from recent global tournaments supports these concerns. During the 2024 T20 World Cup, Babar managed only 122 runs across four matches, striking at a sluggish 101.66 as Pakistan suffered an early group-stage exit. In the current 2026 edition, a shift in strategy saw him moved to the number four position—a spot he had rarely occupied since 2017. This transition has proven difficult; Babar has struggled to find his rhythm, scoring just 66 runs in four games at a strike rate of 115.78, and notably did not even take to the crease during the team's encounter with Namibia.
The moment I suggested resting Babar, everyone turned against me: Mohammad Yusuf
Speaking on the How Does It Work podcast, Yousuf provided a technical breakdown of why Babar’s batting approach is currently faltering on the international stage. The legendary batsman explained that his attempt to implement a long-term plan, which included dropping the former captain to allow for a tactical reset—ultimately led to his own departure from the selection committee.
"I’ve been saying this for 2-3 years that Babar’s technique has gone for a toss. 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. He was eventually dropped a couple of series later," said Yousuf.
The churan of mindset is being sold very wrongly: Mohammad Yusuf
In an effort to rediscover his rhythm ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, Babar Azam opted for a stint in Australia’s Big Bash League. However, the move largely backfired, as his performances there drew further criticism from pundits who questioned his ability to adapt to the high-intensity demands of overseas franchise cricket. Rather than silencing his detractors, the spell abroad only intensified the scrutiny surrounding his place in the shortest format.
Mohammad Yousuf offered a blunt assessment of this struggle during his recent podcast appearance, suggesting that Babar’s continued selection is based more on his reputation and mindset than on actual technical suitability. Yousuf argued that the former captain currently lacks the specific power-hitting and innovative skills required to thrive in modern T20Is, implying that a "brand-driven" narrative has overshadowed his lack of impact on the field.
"The churan of mindset is being sold very wrongly. 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?. Inzy (Inzamam-ul-Haq) Bhai and Saeed (Anwar) Bhai’s level can’t be matched. They can’t be matched. They were very big players. Zaheer Abbas. These players were of different categories and levels. Babar is nothing in front of them," Yousuf added.