RAWALPINDI: Pakistan batting star Babar Azam has responded to former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf’s advice regarding his technical shortcomings, saying he would be willing to learn from the batting great if he approached him.
Yousuf recently suggested that Babar should consider specialised coaching at a cricket academy in England or Australia to address technical issues that have affected his recent performances.
The former Pakistan batter also advised Babar to temporarily stay away from first-class cricket until he works on his batting technique, warning that continued failures in domestic cricket could further damage his confidence and have a negative impact on his career.
Taking to social media platform X, Yousuf stressed that Babar remained one of Pakistan’s finest batting talents but needed the right guidance to rediscover his best form.
“I don’t think Babar Azam should be playing first-class cricket until he fixes his technical issues through specialised coaching. Struggling in domestic cricket could further harm his confidence and career,” Yousuf wrote.
He further recommended that the former Pakistan captain attend a specialised academy in England or Australia, adding that the right coaching and focused effort could help him regain his batting form.
Responding to the former cricketer’s observations during a pre-series press conference ahead of Pakistan’s first Test against Sri Lanka, Babar welcomed the suggestion and underlined the importance of continuous learning.
The right-handed batter also made it clear that he had not personally contacted Yousuf but would gladly take advice from him should the former Pakistan batting great reach out.
“As you said, the process of learning never ends. I haven’t contacted him yet. I believe he has reached out to people on social media, but not to me. If he contacts me, God willing, I will learn from him. He is a legend and Pakistan’s greatest batter,” Babar said.
The Pakistan batter was also questioned about his recent dismissals and the technical issues that have attracted attention from former players and cricket experts.
Babar explained that dismissals could happen in different ways and should not necessarily be linked to one recurring technical weakness. He maintained that getting out was an unavoidable part of cricket.
“You can get out at any time and in different ways. It is not necessary that you will always get out in the same pattern or in the same manner. There can be different reasons, but that is part of the game,” he said.
He further emphasised that he takes complete responsibility whenever he loses his wicket, adding that he does not look to blame external circumstances for his failures.
“In my case, whenever I get out, I consider it my fault. It is my responsibility and my shortcomings. Everyone has their own perspective and way of thinking,” Babar added.
Yousuf’s comments have once again brought Babar’s batting form and technical approach under discussion, with expectations remaining high for the Pakistan star to rediscover the consistency that established him among the leading batters in international cricket.
Babar’s response, meanwhile, reflects his willingness to consider guidance from experienced former players as he looks to address concerns surrounding his recent performances and strengthen his position in Pakistan’s batting line-up.
