Babar Azam Welcomes Mohammad Yousuf’s Advice on Overseas Coaching

Key points

1. Babar Azam said he would be willing to learn from Mohammad Yousuf if the former Pakistan batter contacted him directly.
2. Yousuf advised Babar to seek specialised coaching at an academy in England or Australia to address technical issues in his batting.
3. Yousuf suggested Babar temporarily stay away from first-class cricket, warning that continued domestic struggles could affect his confidence and career.
4. Babar made the comments at a press conference ahead of Pakistan’s first Test against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin in Rawalpindi on November 9, 2026.
5. Babar said he had not contacted Yousuf and believed the former batter had reached out to people on social media rather than to him personally.
6. Babar also said he takes responsibility for his dismissals and accepts them as his own shortcomings.
7. Babar described Yousuf as a legend and Pakistan’s greatest batter.

Babar Azam has responded positively to Mohammad Yousuf’s public advice on how he can address concerns about his batting, saying he would be willing to learn from the former Pakistan great if he made direct contact. Yousuf had urged Babar to seek specialised coaching overseas and suggested that he temporarily stay away from first-class cricket until technical issues in his game are addressed.

Babar spoke about the recommendation during a press conference ahead of Pakistan’s first Test against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin in Rawalpindi on November 9, 2026. Rather than dismissing the criticism, the Pakistan batter stressed that learning never stops and expressed respect for Yousuf’s standing in the game.

What Mohammad Yousuf recommended

Yousuf’s suggestion centred on a period of focused technical work away from the immediate demands of domestic competition. He called on the Pakistan Cricket Board to consider sending Babar to a specialist cricket academy in England or Australia, where the batter could work on the issues that have attracted attention during his recent run of form.

The former Pakistan batter also argued that Babar should not continue playing first-class cricket until those technical concerns are corrected. Yousuf warned that further struggles in domestic matches could damage the player’s confidence and have a negative effect on his career. His comments were made publicly on social media.

Yousuf’s message was not framed as a call to give up on Babar. He described him as still being Pakistan’s top player and said the right guidance and dedicated effort could help him return to his best. He added that he had made a similar recommendation four years earlier, but believed it had not been acted upon.

Babar says he is open to learning

Asked about the advice before the Sri Lanka Test, Babar said the process of learning was ongoing. He explained that he had not contacted Yousuf himself and believed the former batter had reached out to people through social media, but not directly to him.

Babar nevertheless made clear that he would welcome the opportunity to work with him. He praised Yousuf as a legend and described him as Pakistan’s greatest batter, adding that he would learn from him if Yousuf approached him. His answer indicated an openness to guidance, while stopping short of confirming that a coaching arrangement had been discussed or agreed.

The distinction is important: as of the press conference, there was no confirmed direct conversation between the two about a training plan. Babar’s comments expressed willingness, not a decision to travel overseas or to withdraw from domestic cricket.

Babar takes responsibility for his dismissals

Babar was also asked about the pattern of his recent dismissals and the technical concerns surrounding his batting. He responded that a batter can get out in different ways and that dismissals do not necessarily follow one repeated pattern. He described getting out as part of the game, while acknowledging that there can be different reasons behind each wicket.

He also said that he considers his own dismissal his responsibility and regards it as a shortcoming on his part. Babar’s comments placed the emphasis on personal accountability rather than blaming external factors. He added that people can have different perspectives and approaches when assessing a player’s performance.

His response offered a measured answer to a debate that has become public through Yousuf’s intervention. While the former player believes a technical reset should come before more first-class appearances, Babar did not announce any change to his playing plans during the press conference.

Pakistan turn attention to Sri Lanka Test

The exchange took place immediately before Pakistan’s opening Test against Sri Lanka, which is due to start in Rawalpindi on November 9. The timing places Babar’s batting under scrutiny as he prepares for an important assignment in the red-ball format.

Yousuf’s recommendation raises a broader question about how an established international batter should respond to a difficult period: continue gaining match practice through domestic cricket or pause competition for targeted technical work. The two approaches are not necessarily mutually exclusive over a longer period, but Yousuf’s public view was that Babar should prioritise specialist coaching first.

For now, the confirmed development is Babar’s willingness to listen if Yousuf contacts him. There has been no announcement of an overseas academy programme, no confirmation that Babar will skip first-class cricket, and no indication from the press conference that a formal coaching partnership has begun. The focus will return to his performances as Pakistan begin the Sri Lanka series.