Virat Kohli and Babar Azam - (Source: AFP)
Pakistan cricket is going through turmoil. In the last couple of weeks, seven players have been sent back home, Test head coach got replaced, and selector Misbah-ul-Haq was sacked as well. Now, the blame game has begun within the PCB, and Mohammad Yousuf is the latest to opine his views.
Pakistani experts have opined their views on the recent downfall, but Pakistan legend Mohammad Yousuf has an interesting take on the crisis. The 52-year-old has blamed Virat Kohli-led Indian team for Pakistan’s downfall.
Mohammad Yousuf blames 2021 T20 World Cup Win over India for Pakistan’s Downfall
Mohammad Yousuf remarked that Pakistan’s 10-wicket win over the Indian team, led by Virat Kohli, in the 2021 T20 World Cup had an adverse impact within the dressing room. The emphatic victory made the Pakistan players arrogant and overconfident.
“That match which we won against India in 2021, that damaged us a lot. Because after that victory, players started to think that they had achieved something big. They couldn’t understand what they had to do next," said Yousuf in a conversation on Samaa TV.
"When you are performing well, you should stay humble. If you behave with your collar raised and get disrespectful, problems will arrive. And a lot of them have arrived in Pakistan cricket,” he added.
Since the India vs Pakistan fixture at 2021 T20 World Cup, Pakistan have played 221 matches across formats and won 115 games, losing 97. Their total win percentage since that match is 52.03.
Mohammad Yousuf Backs PCB’s Action To Recall 7 Players
Yousuf, speaking to Samaa TV, revealed that the win resulted in every individual part of that playing XI chasing a single dream of becoming team captain. It led to reduced collective effort, which was visible in every ICC event in the last few years. Further, he backed PCB’s decision to recall 7 players mid-series.
“Everyone in the team was trying to become the captain of the Pakistan team. The consequences are still hurting Pakistan cricket. Look at all the cricket Pakistan has played in the last four to five years, from ODI World Cups, T20 World Cups to Asia Cups and Champions Trophy. There has been terrible cricket," Yousuf remarked.
"The PCB has been supporting you throughout. So many coaches have come and gone, so many things have changed just to try and help the Pakistan team. But no player has stood up and taken responsibility. Eventually, PCB had to take a step that it did. I back what PCB did,” Yousuf concluded.
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Mohammad Yousuf’s time with Pakistan and rift with Shaheen Afridi
Mohammad Yousuf also served Pakistan as their batting coach and didn’t have a great time with the Men in Green. During his tenure, he had an infamous moment with Shaheen Afridi, where the two got into a verbal argument in 2024 during Pakistan's tour of England.
The incident occurred during a training session when Yousuf pointed out Shaheen's no-balls. "Shaheen got furious after he was repeatedly called out for his no-balls.' Shaheen said to Mohammad Yousuf to let him do what he was doing, and that he shouldmind his own business," a source told Geo News and added that Yousuf responded to Shaheen that he was a coach and doing his job.
Shaheen later apologised and the matter was closed. However, Yousuf’s latest remarks about raised collars and attitude among players, its hard to not link the past incident with his current remarks.
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