In an explosive revelation that casts a shadow over him Pakistanof T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 qualification, the former national great finally broke his silence on the toxic domestic politics that led to his high-profile resignation. The legendary batsman, who previously served as the national coach, revealed that his departure was not “voluntary” as initially reported, but a direct result of a failed relegation attempt. Babar Azam. Big claimed that his professional assessment of Babar’s prolonged decline was so aggressively resisted by team decision-makers that he felt staying in the role was a compromise on his integrity.
The former Pakistan legend attributes his resignation to Babar Azam
Ex-selective and symbolically inclined Muhammad Yusuf explained that his speech was a protest against Babar’s apparent refusal to accept technical backwardness. Yousuf revealed that even though he had identified the former captain as a liability due to a three-year slump, the decision-makers within the PCB and the team management did not want to bow down to the star. Recalling the backlash he faced for offering a much-needed rest for the batsman, who managed just 66 runs in three matches in this tournament, Yousuf said on the How It Works podcast:
“I have been saying this for 2-3 years that Babar’s technique has deteriorated. I heard that he is not in shape, but he is not. A player can only be in shape for two or three series and he has not scored a goal in the last two or three years. When I suggested that Babar rest, everyone suddenly refused me. What happened to him today is because of the same people who doubted me.”
“I had to resign because of Babar Azam. The moment I suggested him to rest, the environment changed and everyone turned against me.”
~ Muhammad Yusuf
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) February 19, 2026
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Skill over ‘Churan’: Pakistan clearly appreciated Babar’s batting
In a stark repudiation of his words, the modern coach dismissed the narrative that Yusuf Babar’s struggles were purely psychological. Labeling the constant focus on ‘mentality’ as a deceptive sales pitch, he called it ‘churan’ and emphasized that no amount of mental strength can compensate for broken batting mechanics. when asked to place Babar among the pantheon of icons such as Inzamam-ul-haq or Said AnwarYusuf was uncompromising in his judgment, claiming that there was no comparison:
“The mind is very mis-sold. Until there is skill, the mind cannot do anything. If there is no skill, what will the mind do? The level of Inzi Bhai and Saeed Bhai cannot be matched. They cannot be matched. They were very great players. Zahir Ba Abbas… That was a four-level player. Yusuf concluded.
This harsh assessment underscores the growing rift between Pakistan’s legendary predecessors and its current leadership. With the 807-day drought still a major talking point among ODI centuries, Yusuf insists the evidence of the decline is undeniable. As Pakistan move into the Super 8s, these comments ensure that every ball Babar faces will be scrutinized through the lens of “deteriorated technique”.
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