“Send him to an academy”: Mohammad Yousuf seeks specialised coaching for Babar Azam after Pakistan Tri-Series failure

Former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf has urged Babar Azam to work with specialist coaches to improve his batting technique. He believes Babar should temporarily step away from first-class cricket and focus on correcting his technical flaws.

Yousuf suggested that Babar travel to England or Australia to work with experienced coaches. He warned that continuing to struggle in domestic cricket could affect the former Pakistan captain’s confidence and career.

Yousuf shared his views on X after Babar was dismissed for a duck in the ODI Tri-Series final against Sri Lanka on Saturday. Although Pakistan won the tournament, Babar failed to make an impact with the bat. Yousuf also said he had raised similar concerns about the batter around four years ago. 

See his X post here:

What Mohammad Yousuf said about Babar Azam after Pakistan’s Tri-Series exit

Mohammad Yousuf expressed his concerns about Babar Azam’s poor form in a social media post. He urged the former Pakistan captain to work on his batting technique before returning to first-class cricket.

“I don't think #BabarAzam 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 said.

See also -Watch: "Coaches are poison" — Mohammad Yousuf blasts Pakistan coach and management after horror show at Lord's

Yousuf’s comments come as Babar’s form continues to be discussed in Pakistan cricket circles. The 32-year-old batter, who once held the No. 1 position in the ICC rankings across all three formats at the same time, has struggled to regain his best form since 2024.

Why Yousuf wants specialised coaching: Babar’s form and technical concerns

Mohammad Yousuf also urged Babar Azam to travel to England or Australia and work with specialist coaches to improve his batting technique. “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,” Yousuf wrote.

Babar's recent performances have raised concerns about his form. During the ODI tri-series in October 2026, he scored 34 runs against England at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 20. He then failed to open his account in the final against Sri Lanka. Before the final, the Pakistan batter had scored 243 runs in seven ODI innings in 2026 at an average of 34.71.

See also -Watch: “Babar is a superstar”: Imad Wasim backs Pakistan star despite poor form in tri-series 2026

Yousuf also has experience working as a batting coach for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and has worked with Babar in the past. The former Pakistan batter played 90 Tests, 288 ODIs and three T20Is during his international career. Meanwhile, Babar has not scored a Test century since December 2022, when he made 161 against New Zealand in Karachi. His recent struggles have once again raised questions about his technique and the need for specialised coaching.

What it means for Babar Azam and Pakistan cricket going forward

Mohammad Yousuf's comments have once again raised questions about Babar Azam's form and his future in Pakistan cricket. The former captain remains an important player for the team, but he needs to work on his technique and regain his confidence.

Specialised coaching could help Babar address his batting problems and return to his best form. However, he will need to show improvement through consistent performances in upcoming matches. The advice from Yousuf could also encourage Pakistan cricket officials to take a closer look at the batter's struggles.

For Pakistan, getting Babar back into form will be important ahead of upcoming international assignments. The team will hope that the experienced batter can overcome his recent struggles and make valuable contributions. Babar's response to Yousuf's advice will be closely followed by fans and cricket experts.