LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain and batting great Mohammad Yousaf has advised Babar Azam to step away from first-class cricket until he addresses his technical issues through specialised coaching, warning that continued struggles in domestic cricket could further damage the star batsman’s confidence and career.

In a post on X on Sunday, November 1, 2026, Yousaf wrote: “I don’t think #BabarAzam should be playing first class cricket until he fixes his technical issues through specialized coaching. Struggling in domestic cricket could further harm his confidence and career. Send him to an academy in #England or #Australia. He is still Pakistan’s top player, and with the right guidance and a little effort, he can return to his best. I said this four years ago, and nobody listened. Please listen now.”

The comments come after Babar endured a lean run in the recently concluded ODI Tri-Nation Series. He scored 118 runs in five matches at an average of 23.60, with a highest score of 45 and a duck in the final against Sri Lanka.

Babar had earlier returned to domestic first-class cricket after seven years, playing for Oil & Gas Development Company Limited in the President’s Trophy. He managed only 58 runs in four innings at an average of 14.50, raising further questions about his form and technique, particularly against the short ball.

Despite the poor returns, Babar is expected to feature for Lahore Whites in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy starting November 3. ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi had indicated that the former skipper would return to domestic cricket to regain rhythm ahead of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.

Yousaf, a former Pakistan captain and one of the country’s most successful batsmen, stressed that Babar remains the team’s leading player but needs focused technical work rather than more match exposure at this stage. He suggested an academy stint in England or Australia as the better path to recovery.

The debate around Babar’s form has intensified in recent weeks, with several former players and analysts pointing to issues with footwork, early shot selection and vulnerability to short-pitched bowling and spin. Pakistan batting coach Mike Smith had earlier expressed confidence in Babar during the tri-series, saying the batsman was still getting starts and that a big score was around the corner.

Yousaf’s intervention adds weight to the discussion about the best way forward for one of Pakistan’s most important players as the team prepares for the home Test series against Sri Lanka later this month.

What Happens Next
Babar is scheduled to play in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy from November 3. Whether the PCB or team management considers Yousaf’s advice or sticks with the domestic exposure plan will become clearer in the coming days. Focus will remain on how Babar performs in the upcoming red-ball matches.

LAHORE: Pakistan clinched the ODI Tri-Nation Series title with a thrilling three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the final at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, October 31, 2026, chasing down a target of 326 with nine balls to spare.

Fakhar Zaman led the chase with a blistering 127 off 99 balls, while Arafat Minhas smashed a rapid 61 off 31 deliveries and Saad Baig contributed a composed 74. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi sealed the win in style, hitting a six over midwicket off Dilshan Madushanka in the 49th over. Pakistan finished on 331 for seven in 48.3 overs.

Sri Lanka had posted a competitive 325 for eight earlier in the day. Kamindu Mendis scored a superb 131, his maiden ODI century, and Pavan Rathnayake added a fluent 77. For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Agha, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took two wickets each.

Pakistan’s chase began poorly. Maaz Sadaqat and Babar Azam fell early, leaving the hosts struggling at 14 for two. Fakhar and Saad then rebuilt the innings with a 149-run third-wicket partnership that shifted the momentum. After both set batsmen were dismissed, Arafat Minhas and Hasan Nawaz produced a crucial 94-run stand that took Pakistan to the brink of victory. Arafat was named Player of the Series for his all-round contribution of 149 runs and nine wickets across the tournament, while Fakhar earned Player of the Match honours.

The win marked Pakistan’s first ODI tri-series title since 2008 and their first at home after previous final defeats. The hosts finished the league stage with three wins from four matches, topping the table ahead of Sri Lanka and England.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi congratulated the team, praising their hard work, teamwork and the efforts of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

The victory provides a strong boost for Pakistan ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, showcasing both experienced performers and emerging talent under pressure in front of a packed home crowd.

What Happens Next
The focus now shifts to preparations for upcoming bilateral series and World Cup qualifiers. Selectors will assess the performances of young players such as Arafat Minhas, Saad Baig and Hasan Nawaz alongside established stars.

A High-Stakes Clash Called Off

The highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, scheduled for July 20 at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, was canceled after several Indian players, including Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, and Suresh Raina, refused to participate. Citing the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and heightened India-Pakistan cricket tensions, the boycott reflects deep-seated geopolitical issues, sparking widespread debate among fans and organizers. Here’s everything you need to know about this dramatic development in the WCL 2025.

Why Was the India-Pakistan WCL Match Canceled in World Championship of Legends?

The cancellation stems from the Indian players’ decision to boycott the match, driven by the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. India attributed the attack to Pakistan-supported militants, leading to Operation Sindoor, a military response targeting terrorist bases in Pakistan. This escalated tensions, prompting Indian players to take a stand. Shikhar Dhawan, in a formal statement on X, said, “This is to formally reiterate and confirm that Mr. Shikhar Dhawan will not be participating in any matches against the Pakistan team in the upcoming WCL League. This decision was communicated earlier on May 11, 2025… In view of the current geopolitical situation and prevailing tensions between India and Pakistan, Mr. Dhawan and his team have taken this position after due consideration.” Other players, including Harbhajan Singh (a Rajya Sabha MP), Yusuf Pathan (also an MP), Irfan Pathan, and Suresh Raina, echoed this sentiment, with some citing additional discomfort over Shahid Afridi’s anti-India remarks and military site visits in Pakistan.

World Championship of Legends Organizers and Sponsor Reactions

The WCL organizers, backed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and co-owned by Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn, issued an apology on X: “The fixture was planned to create happy memories for fans, but we understand it may have caused unease to the Indian legends and fans.” They canceled the match on July 19, 2025, ensuring full refunds for ticket holders at Edgbaston Stadium. The organizers noted inspiration from recent India-Pakistan sports encounters, like volleyball and Pakistan’s hockey team visiting India, but acknowledged their misstep amid the sensitive climate. Additionally, EaseMyTrip, a key WCL sponsor, distanced itself, stating, “Despite a five-year sponsorship agreement, EaseMyTrip will not be associated with any WCL match involving Pakistan. We proudly support India Champions but stand firm: Bharat First.” This reinforced the boycott’s impact, highlighting the intersection of sport and national sentiment.

The World Championship of Legends 2025: Tournament Context

The WCL 2025, running from July 18 to August 2, 2025, features six teams—India Champions, Pakistan Champions, Australia, West Indies, South Africa, and England—competing across venues in Birmingham, Northampton, Leicester, and Leeds. India Champions, led by Yuvraj Singh, include stars like Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Robin Uthappa, Varun Aaron, Mohammad Kaif, and RP Singh. Pakistan Champions, captained by Mohammad Hafeez after Shahid Afridi’s exclusion, feature Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz, Kamran Akmal, and others. The tournament follows the inaugural 2024 edition, where India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final. Despite the cancellation, the WCL continues, with Pakistan winning their opener against England by five runs on July 18. It remains unclear if India and Pakistan could face off in the August 2 final.

Shahid Afridi’s Role in the Controversy

Reports indicate that Shahid Afridi’s exclusion from the Pakistan Champions squad for the match was a factor in the controversy. Afridi, a former Pakistan captain, has made anti-India remarks and visited military sites in Pakistan, which Indian players and fans criticized. Sources suggest players like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Irfan Pathan specifically objected to playing against a team featuring Afridi, though organizers denied knowledge of a boycott initially. Mohammad Hafeez led Pakistan instead, but the broader geopolitical context, amplified by the Pahalgam attack, overshadowed these adjustments, leading to the match’s cancellation.

Broader India-Pakistan Cricket Tensions

The WCL boycott reflects India’s policy of avoiding bilateral cricket with Pakistan since the 2012–13 series, limiting encounters to ICC and ACC events like the World Cup and Asia Cup. The 2025 Champions Trophy adopted a hybrid model, with India playing in Dubai, and the Asia Cup 2025 may follow suit, likely in the UAE. The BCCI’s refusal to attend an ACC meeting in Dhaka further signals reluctance to engage with Pakistan in cricket. However, India has approved Pakistan’s participation in Olympic sports events like the Hockey Asia Cup (August 2025) to comply with the Olympic Charter, which prohibits excluding athletes for political reasons. The WCL, a private league, lacks such obligations, making the boycott a player-driven decision rooted in national sentiment post-Pahalgam.

The cancellation of the India vs. Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends 2025 underscores the complex interplay of cricket and geopolitics. While the WCL aimed to celebrate nostalgia and rivalry, the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor fueled a player-led boycott, supported by sponsors and fans. As the tournament progresses, the focus shifts to whether India and Pakistan might clash in the final, but for now, the spotlight remains on the broader implications for India-Pakistan cricket ties. Stay tuned for the latest WCL 2025 news and updates on this evolving story.

Curious about the upcoming India-Pakistan cricket match in the 2025 Asia Cup? Check out our Asia Cup 2025 article for the latest updates.