Babar Azam told to skip domestic cricket and fix technique abroad, says Yousuf

Former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf has urged Babar Azam to stay away from first-class cricket for now and work on his technique at an academy in England or Australia. Yousuf made the case on X after Babar had a muted home ODI tri-series, and just before the batter's scheduled return to domestic action.

The numbers explain the concern. Babar scored 118 runs in five matches, averaging 23.60 at a strike rate of 74.21. His highest score was 45, and he ended the tournament with a duck in the final against Sri Lanka, edging a wide delivery to slip.

Yousuf argued that more matches could deepen the problem if the flaws are not fixed first. He wrote that struggling in domestic cricket could further damage Babar's confidence and career, while still calling him Pakistan's top player who can return to his best with the right guidance. He added that he had made the same suggestion four years ago.

The calendar leaves little breathing room. Babar is due to turn out for Lahore Whites against Shaheen Afridi's FATA side when the 2026-27 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy begins in Islamabad on November 3. He is then set to captain a reshaped Pakistan side in two Tests against Sri Lanka, in Rawalpindi and Lahore, from November 9 to 21.

Afridi, the ODI captain, has struck a calmer note. He said Babar knows his game well, described the recent dismissals as part and parcel of cricket, and said he was confident the batter would bounce back.

For Pakistan, the debate matters because its biggest batting name is about to lead the Test side while searching for form. Whether he takes the domestic route or the coaching route, the next few weeks will show which view holds up.

Source: Outlook India

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