In an explosive revelation that has cast a shadow Pakistan‘S t20 world cup 2026 The Super 8 qualifier, a former national great, has finally broken his silence on the toxic internal politics that led to his high-profile resignation. The legendary batsman, who previously served as the national selector, revealed that his departure was not ‘voluntary’ as initially reported, but a direct result of a failed attempt to drop him. Babar Azam. Mahan alleged that his professional assessment of Babar’s prolonged slump was met with such aggressive resistance from team decision makers that he felt continuing in the role was a compromise with his integrity.
Former Pakistan legend linked resignation to Babar Azam!
Former selector and renowned batsman Mohammad Yusuf Clarified that his exit was a protest against his refusal to accept the obvious technical decline in Babar. Yousuf revealed that while he recognized the former skipper as a liability due to his three-year-long slump, the decision-makers at the PCB and team management were not ready to ax the star. Recalling the backlash he faced for suggesting much-needed rest for a batsman who had scored just 66 runs in three matches this tournament, Yousuf said in the ‘How Does It Work’ podcast:
“I have been saying for two-three years that Babar’s technique has deteriorated. I am hearing that he is out of form, but it is not so. A player can be out of form only for two to three series and he has not scored runs for the last two-three years. As soon as I suggested giving rest to Babar, everyone suddenly turned against me. I had to resign because of this. Ultimately he was dropped after a few series. What has happened to him today is because of this. Same. People who doubted me.”
“I had to resign because of Babar Azam. As soon as I suggested giving him rest, the whole atmosphere changed and everyone turned against me.”
~Mohammed Yusuf
– Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) 19 February 2026
Also read: Explained: Which teams will Pakistan face in the Super 8 of T20 World Cup 2026?
Kaushal on ‘Chooran’: Pakistan made a very blunt assessment of Babar’s batting
Rejecting modern coaching discussions outright, Yousuf rejected the narrative that Babar’s struggles were purely psychological. He dismissed the constant focus on ‘mentality’ as a misleading sales pitch, referring to it as ‘churan’ and emphasizing that no amount of mental strength can compensate for broken batting mechanics. When asked whether Babar should be kept in the league of giants inzamam-ul-haq Or Saeed AnwarYusuf was uncompromising in his decision and claimed that there was no comparison:
“The powder of mentality is being sold very wrongly. Unless you have the skill, the brain cannot do anything. If you do not have the skill, what will the brain do? The level of Eng Bhai and Saeed Bhai cannot be matched. They cannot be matched. They were very big players. Zaheer Abbas… these four players were of different categories and levels. Babar is nothing in front of them.” Joseph concluded.
The scathing assessment highlights the growing rift between Pakistan’s stalwart predecessors and the current leadership. With the 807-day drought among ODI centuries still a major talking point, Yousuf insisted the evidence of the decline is indisputable. As Pakistan enter the Super 8s, these comments ensure that every ball Babar faces will be scrutinized through the prism of ‘bad technique’.
See also: Heated altercation between Mike Hesson and Salman Aga during PAK vs NAM T20 World Cup 2026 clash
