Beating India in 2021 hurt Pakistan: Ex-captain blames historic win for cricket crisis
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf has offered a bizarre explanation for the side’s current cricket crisis, tracing it back to one of the biggest victories in their history. Yousuf believes Pakistan’s 10-wicket win over India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in Dubai was one of the factors behind the team’s current problems.
In his view, some players began to feel they had achieved something big after the win, while a race for the captaincy also created divisions within the dressing room. Babar Azam scored an unbeaten 68, and Mohammad Rizwan made 79 not out as Pakistan chased down 152 without losing a wicket. It was their first World Cup win over India and one of the most celebrated nights in Pakistan cricket. Five years on, however, Yousuf sees that victory differently.
“That match which we won against India in 2021, that damaged us a lot. Because after that victory, players started to think that they had achieved something big. They couldn’t understand what they had to do next,” Yousuf said in a conversation with Samaa TV.
He said success should have been followed by greater focus and humility, but felt some players began to carry themselves differently.
“When you are performing well, you should stay humble. If you behave with your collar raised, and get disrespectful, problems will arrive. And a lot of them have arrived in Pakistan cricket.”
EVERYONE WAS TRYING TO BECOME CAPTAIN
Yousuf also identified the battle for the Pakistan captaincy as another issue that affected the team.
“Everyone in the team was trying to become the captain of the Pakistan team. The consequences are still hurting Pakistan cricket,” he said.
Pakistan have gone through a turbulent period since that famous win, with changes in captains, coaches and support staff failing to bring consistency.
Yousuf pointed to the team’s performances at the ODI and T20 World Cups, Asia Cups and Champions Trophy over the last four to five years as evidence of their struggles.
“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,” he said.
YOUSUF BACKS PCB’S OVERHAUL
Yousuf also backed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to make major changes following the team’s latest setbacks.
Pakistan lost their first Test against England at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs before suffering another heavy defeat at Lord’s, where they went down by 194 runs.
The PCB responded by sending seven players home and bringing in seven replacements, including five uncapped players. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his assistant Umar Gul were also removed.
Pakistan’s poor run has extended beyond the England series. They were beaten 2-0 by Bangladesh earlier this year and suffered the same scoreline against them at home in 2024.
Yousuf believes the board had little choice but to take drastic action after years of poor results.
“Eventually, PCB had to take a step that it did. I back what PCB did,” he said.
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