Yousuf Urges Babar Azam Coaching Stint Abroad
Babar Azam coaching advice from a former Pakistan captain has reopened the debate over the batter’s future, just days before he is due to return to first-class cricket. Former cricketer Mohammad Yousuf has urged Babar to seek specialised coaching in England or Australia, and has warned him against playing domestic red-ball cricket until his technical problems are fixed.
Yousuf made the plea on social media platform X, amid concern over Babar’s recent form and technical shortcomings. His message is blunt: more domestic cricket, played while the same flaws remain, could damage Babar’s confidence and career further. The advice lands at an awkward moment for Pakistan cricket, because the team management has just announced the opposite plan.
The tension between the two plans is the real story here. One former captain says stop and fix the technique first. The current captain says Babar will play first-class cricket against his side within days. Both cannot be right about the best next step, and the coming week will show which path Babar actually takes.
Babar Azam coaching plea: what Yousuf actually said
Yousuf wrote: “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.”
He added: “Send him to an academy in England or Australia. He is still Pakistan’s top player, and with the right guidance and a little effort, he can return to his best. I said this four years ago, and nobody listened. Please listen now.”
The second part of that message matters. Yousuf is not making a new suggestion for the first time. He says he gave the same advice four years ago and it was ignored. That history turns his post from a reaction to one bad series into a longer complaint about how Pakistan cricket handles its leading batter.
The numbers behind the concern
Babar endured a disappointing campaign in the recently concluded ODI tri-series involving Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka. He scored 118 runs in five matches at an average of 23.60 and a strike rate of 74.21, without registering a half-century. His scores in the tournament were 45, 34, 10, 29 and a duck in the final against Sri Lanka.
The longer pattern is more worrying for his supporters. Babar has managed just one ODI century since registering his 151 against Nepal in September 2023. He scored his 20th ODI century against Sri Lanka in November 2025, ending a wait of more than two years for a three-figure score. After that century, he registered a half-century against Australia in Rawalpindi in May 2026, but has since failed to cross the 50-run mark in the format.
Those figures explain why the debate has moved beyond one series. A batter of Babar’s record does not need defending on past achievements alone, but the recent returns show a player short of rhythm and confidence. Feature Pakistan reported his 16,000-run milestone during the tri-series opener, in Babar Azam Crosses 16,000 International Runs in Tri-Series Opener. Milestones and current form can exist side by side, and right now they do.
A direct clash with the first-class plan
What happens next
Frequently asked questions
What did Mohammad Yousuf advise Babar Azam?
Yousuf urged Babar to seek specialised coaching at an academy in England or Australia, and advised him against playing first-class cricket until his technical issues are fixed.
Why is Yousuf worried about first-class cricket?
He warned that continued struggles in domestic cricket could further harm Babar’s confidence and career, rather than rebuilding his form.
How did Babar perform in the ODI tri-series?
Babar scored 118 runs in five matches at an average of 23.60 and a strike rate of 74.21, with scores of 45, 34, 10, 29 and a duck in the final against Sri Lanka.
Is Babar still due to play first-class cricket?
Yes, as announced by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar is set to play for Lahore Whites against Shaheen-led FATA in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy from November 3 at the Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad.
What did Yousuf say about his earlier advice?
Yousuf said he gave the same advice four years ago and nobody listened, and he asked the authorities to listen now.
