Former Pakistan cricketing legend Mohammad Yousuf, aged 50, has officially stepped down from his role as a selector for the Pakistan men’s cricket team.
In a heartfelt social media post shared on Sunday, Yousuf cited personal reasons for his decision, marking the end of a brief but impactful tenure in Pakistan’s national cricketing setup.
Yousuf, renowned for his calm demeanor and extraordinary cricketing intellect, expressed his deep gratitude to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the national team.
“I announce my resignation as a selector for the Pakistan cricket team due to personal reasons. Serving this incredible team has been a profound privilege, and I am proud to have contributed to the growth and success of Pakistan Cricket. I have immense faith in the talent and spirit of our players, and Wish our team all the best as they continue to strive for greatness,” Yousuf stated in his tweet.
I announce my resignation as a selector for the Pakistan cricket team due to personal reasons. Serving this incredible team has been a profound privilege, and I am proud to have contributed to the growth and success of Pakistan Cricket.
I have immense faith in the talent and…— Mohammad Yousaf (@yousaf1788) September 29, 2024
He further conveyed his strong belief in the abilities of the players, wishing the squad continued success in their future endeavors.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a formal statement, confirmed Yousuf’s decision, praising his dedication and the invaluable insights he brought during his time as a member of the selection committee.
“The PCB extends its heartfelt appreciation to Mohammad Yousuf for his significant contributions during his time as a member of the selection committee. He will remain a key figure at the PCB, offering his vast expertise and knowledge as the batting coach at the High Performance Centre.” the statement read.
Yousuf, who had an illustrious international career representing Pakistan in 90 Test matches, 288 ODIs, and three T20Is, transitioned into his selector role in March 2024.
Despite the Pakistani team’s underwhelming performance at the T20 World Cup 2024, Yousuf remained an influential figure in Pakistan’s cricketing structure.
He played an instrumental role in shaping the future of the national squad, even as challenges mounted on the international stage.
In addition to his selector duties, Yousuf also served as the head coach of the Pakistan U19 cricket team, which secured a commendable third-place finish at the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 in South Africa.
His deep involvement in youth development, coupled with his unmatched batting expertise, earned him widespread admiration both within and outside the team.
Yousuf’s resignation comes at a crucial juncture, just ahead of Pakistan’s highly anticipated three-match Test series against England, which will see games played in Multan and Rawalpindi.
England, captained by Ben Stokes, will look to challenge a Pakistan side led by Shan Masood. Yousuf, even in his absence from the selection role, has left his mark by contributing to squad selection for this important series.
While Yousuf may no longer be part of the official selection panel, his ongoing work as a batting coach at the PCB High Performance Centre ensures that his expertise continues to benefit Pakistan’s cricketers, especially in nurturing young talent.
His presence in this capacity will help guide the next generation of cricketers, ensuring that his influence on Pakistan cricket remains enduring.
