Watch: Babar Azam hits back at Mohammad Yousuf over technique advice ahead of PAK vs SL Test

Ahead of the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test match in Rawalpindi, Babar Azam responded to former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf's advice about his batting technique. Yousuf had suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) send Babar to a specialised cricket academy in Australia or England to work on his technical issues and regain his form.

Yousuf's comments came after Babar's poor performance in the three-nation ODI series in Pakistan. The batter was dismissed for a duck in the final against Sri Lanka, which Pakistan won. Concerned about his declining form, Yousuf advised Babar to focus on improving his batting technique under expert guidance before returning to domestic cricket.

Responding to Yousuf's advice, Babar said he was willing to learn from the former Pakistan batter. He also expressed his respect for Yousuf and showed that he was open to receiving guidance to improve his game. 

Watch Babar Azam's response ahead of the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test:

What did Mohammad Yousuf advise Babar Azam? The academy comments explained

Mohammad Yousuf shared his concerns about Babar Azam's poor form on November 1. The former Pakistan captain felt that Babar should avoid playing first-class cricket until he fixes the technical issues in his batting. In his view, the star batter needs specialised coaching to regain his confidence and improve his performance.

In a post on X, Yousuf wrote, "I don't think #BabarAzam should be playing first-class cricket until he fixes his technical issues through specialised coaching." He further advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to send Babar to an academy in England or Australia. He added, "He is still Pakistan's top player, and with the right guidance and a little effort, he can return to his best."

Earlier, Yousuf had also raised concerns about Babar's technique after his dismissal against England in Lahore on October 25. Sharing an image of the dismissal on X, he explained that Babar's left shoulder was not properly aligned with the line of the ball. The former cricketer believed this technical issue needed attention to help the right-handed batter improve his game.