Former Pakistan Captain Mohammad Yousuf Resigns Citing Babar Azam Issue

Lahore: Former Pakistan cricket captain and legendary batsman Mohammad Yousuf revealed that he resigned from his post due to disagreements over star batsman Babar Azam.

Yousuf disclosed that when Babar was out of form, he suggested giving him a rest to work on his technique in the academy. However, he faced opposition from colleagues who insisted on keeping Babar in the playing XI. “Everyone was saying either drop Babar or give him rest. Finally, I said I will resign; you do whatever you want,” Yousuf said.

He added that Babar Azam’s batting technique had deteriorated, and he had been struggling to score consistently for the past three years. Yousuf believed a rest period and academy training would help him regain form.

Mohammad Yousaf "I had to resign because of Babar Azam. The moment I dared to suggest resting Babar, everyone suddenly turned against me" #Cricket pic.twitter.com/SuurEMB7BU

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) February 19, 2026

The former captain also noted that his resignation was initially not accepted, but he submitted it a third time before it was finalized.

Earlier, Yousuf had criticized the national squad after a loss to India, stating that players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shadab Khan have passed their peak and the team needs fresh talent. He emphasized that Pakistan’s T20 squad requires emerging performers rather than guaranteed wins against weaker teams.