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NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan star cricketer Mohammad Yousuf has said the country’s current cricket crisis began after their famous 10-wicket win over India at the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai. Babar Azam scored an unbeaten 68, while Mohammad Rizwan made 79 not out as Pakistan chased down 152 without losing a wicket. “That match which we won against India in 2021, that damaged us a lot. Pakistan lost the Headingley Test by an innings and 103 runs before suffering a 194-run defeat at Lord’s.
Because after that victory, players started to think that they had achieved something big.
And a lot of them have arrived in Pakistan cricket,” said Yousuf in a conversation on Samaa TV. Pakistan had never beaten India in a World Cup before that match. The win was celebrated as a historic moment for Pakistan cricket. They couldn’t understand what they had to do next. When you are performing well, you should stay humble. If you behave with your collar raised, and get disrespectful, problems will arrive. Yousuf’s comments have come at a difficult time for Pakistan cricket. The team suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests against England. The Pakistan Cricket Board then made major changes in the middle of the England tour. Seven players – Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Jafar – were sent back to Pakistan with one Test still left in the series.
We played in the T20 World Cup final in 2022 and played in an Asia Cup final as well, but since those finals, just look at the performances coming out of this Pakistan team,” Yousuf said. They were swept 2-0 by Bangladesh earlier this year, their second 0-2 series defeat against the same opposition after the 2024 home series. But for Yousuf, the root of the problem goes back to that famous night in Dubai in 2021, when Pakistan finally beat India by 10 wickets in a World Cup match.
Because the team has been playing terrible cricket.
Yousuf said the players became too confident after beating India and failed to understand what they needed to do next. He said players became more interested in becoming the team’s captain instead of taking responsibility for their performances. However, Yousuf said he had no problem with the PCB’s decision.
However, Yousuf believes the victory also changed the mindset of the players and played a role in the team’s decline in the years that followed. Yousuf believes the problem was not only about Pakistan’s results. He feels the team’s attitude also changed after the famous win. Yousuf also blamed the fight for captaincy for some of Pakistan’s problems. “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-five years, from ODI World Cups, T20 World Cups to Asia Cups and Champions Trophy. There has been terrible cricket. 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,” added Yousuf. The PCB also removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant coach Umar Gul. Seven replacements were called up, including five uncapped players. The decision to make major changes in the middle of a Test series attracted a lot of attention. He pointed to the team’s poor performances in major tournaments over the last few years. “I don’t see an issue with the PCB reaction. It’s not just this one series against England. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Pakistan have struggled across formats in recent years. The team’s poor performances have raised questions over its leadership, selection and overall direction. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
PCB Takes Action Amidst Poor Test Performance
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken decisive action with one Test remaining in the series against England, a move that has drawn support from former player Mohammad Yousuf. He stated, “Yes, there is no issue with when PCB have taken action. The Pakistan team is ninth in the World Test Championship standings. They are ninth because there are only nine teams in the table. Pakistan ka naam kharab ho raha hai (Pakistan’s reputation is getting ruined).” Yousuf emphasized that the PCB needed to intervene in light of the team’s struggles.
Additionally, Yousuf hinted at possible internal issues within the dressing room that may have contributed to the decision to send seven players home. He cautioned against attributing Pakistan’s challenges solely to the current series against England, suggesting that broader problems exist within the team.