Mohammad Yousuf Criticizes Wasim Akram for Not Backing Babar Azam Amid Shoaib Malik’s Captaincy Suggestion

India versus Pakistan clashes in ICC events are always high-stake affairs, not just for the intense atmosphere and fan fervor, but also for the impact they can have on the teams’ tournament journeys. The scrutiny on these matches is unparalleled, with every misstep attracting more significant attention and criticism. Last Saturday, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Pakistan suffered a resounding seven-wicket loss to India in the 2023 World Cup.
In the aftermath of this defeat, former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik launched a verbal assault on the current skipper, Babar Azam, questioning his leadership abilities in the format. This critique didn’t sit well with Pakistan’s cricketing legend, Mohammad Yousuf, who not only rebuked Malik but also called out the iconic Wasim Akram, who was part of the discussion panel.
During a heated discussion on A Sports following Pakistan’s eighth consecutive loss to India in World Cup matches, Shoaib Malik voiced his concerns about Babar’s capacity to innovate as a captain. He also suggested that stepping down from the captaincy might help Babar Azam evolve as a batsman and, consequently, make a more significant contribution to the team’s success.
Malik stated, “I’ve expressed this opinion in the past as well, that Babar Azam should step down from captaincy. This is purely my personal view. Babar’s captaincy lacks inventive thinking, and we haven’t witnessed notable improvements. He has the potential to be a game-changer for Pakistan as a player.”
Malik further recommended that Shaheen Afridi take the reins as Pakistan’s white-ball captain if Babar Azam were to step down. He highlighted Shaheen’s leadership skills in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) while playing for Lahore Qalandars, advocating for his elevation to the captaincy. Malik concluded, “In the event Babar Azam decides to resign, Shaheen Afridi should assume leadership in white-ball cricket. His aggressive captaincy for Lahore Qalandars speaks for itself.”
However, Mohammad Yousuf expressed his disappointment in Shoaib Malik’s timing, emphasizing that, particularly after a high-pressure loss to India, Pakistan should rally behind their captain instead of making such critical comments. Yousuf also invoked the name of the legendary Imran Khan, who captained Pakistan to World Cup glory on his third attempt, highlighting the importance of giving a capable captain an extended run. Yousuf criticized Wasim Akram, who was present on the same panel as Malik, for not intervening during the debate.
Yousuf remarked, “During the World Cup, discussing such matters is inappropriate. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that Imran Khan captained in 1983 and 1987, losing on both occasions before winning the World Cup in 1992 on his third attempt. A good player should be allowed to continue as captain for an extended period, based on their abilities, rather than their connections.
Babar Azam is the captain because of his cricketing prowess, not due to any affiliations with the PCB chairman. Questioning his leadership in this manner is detrimental to Pakistan and to him, especially in the wake of our recent loss to India. I find it astonishing that Wasim Akram, who was present during the discussion, didn’t intervene.”
Read Now:Mickey Arthur’s Bold World Cup Warning to India After Pakistan’s Crushing Defeat