On Sunday, September 29, Mohammad Yousuf, the former Pakistan cricket legend, announced his resignation as the selector of the Pakistan cricket team, citing personal reasons for his decision. The 50-year-old made his resignation public through a post on the social media platform X, marking the end of his brief tenure in the position.
Yousuf, who was appointed to the role in March 2024, stepped down shortly after selecting the squad for Pakistan’s upcoming Test series against England, which is set to commence on October 7.
A Difficult Tenure
Yousuf’s time as a selector has been challenging for both him and the Pakistan cricket team. Despite his illustrious playing career, where he scored more than 17,000 international runs in 90 Tests and 288 One Day Internationals (ODIs), his appointment as a selector coincided with a series of underwhelming performances by the national team.
Under his watch, Pakistan faced a string of defeats, including an early exit from the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and a 0-2 Test series loss to Bangladesh. These setbacks raised concerns about the team’s form and strategy.
Despite Pakistan’s worst-ever performance in the T20 World Cup, Yousuf was retained in his role as the selector. However, the continuous pressure and the team’s inconsistent performances seemed to weigh heavily on him, leading to his decision to step down.
A Distinguished Career and Role with Pakistan Cricket
Yousuf’s contribution to Pakistan cricket extends far beyond his stint as a selector. The Punjab-born cricketer, who retired from international cricket in 2010, had been involved with Pakistan’s Under-19 and A teams before being appointed to the senior selection panel.
His vast experience and expertise were seen as assets, especially as the country sought to rebuild its cricketing fortunes. However, the results on the field did not reflect the potential that Yousuf brought to his role.
As Pakistan now looks ahead to its series against England, Yousuf’s departure leaves a significant gap in the selection committee, and it remains to be seen who will step up to take on the crucial responsibility of shaping the future of Pakistan cricket.
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