Babar Azam Open to Mohammad Yousuf’s Batting Advice

Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam said he would be open to batting advice from former captain Mohammad Yousuf, who has recommended that Azam pause first-class cricket and seek specialist coaching to address what Yousuf described as technical problems.

Azam said he had not contacted Yousuf and believed the former batter had reached out to people on social media, but not to him directly. If Yousuf contacts him, Azam said, he would learn from him, describing Yousuf as a legend and Pakistan’s greatest batter.

Yousuf’s recommendation was that Azam stop playing first-class cricket until receiving specialist coaching, saying struggles in domestic cricket could further affect his confidence. He suggested an academy in England or Australia. His technical assessment is his own view; the reports do not provide an independent analysis of Azam’s technique.

Azam also responded to questions about being dismissed in different ways. He said batters can lose their wickets for different reasons and that dismissals do not necessarily follow one pattern. He said he regards each dismissal as his responsibility and a shortcoming of his own.

At a press conference in Rawalpindi, Azam acknowledged that his...