Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf revealed that he had heard current skipper Babar Azam was emotionally affected after the loss to Afghanistan in the ICC Men's World Cup 2023 match on Monday.
Yousuf expressed his concern for the talented batsman, who currently leads the ICC Batting Rankings, and conveyed his support, mentioning that both he and the entire nation stand with Babar during this challenging time.
During the match that occurred on October 23 between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Afghan team displayed an exceptional performance, securing an eight-wicket victory over the national team.
In the post-match press conference, Babar appeared visibly disappointed and disheartened as he expressed his concerns. Yousuf, speaking on a private TV channel, stated, "I carefully watched the press conference in which Babar seemed deeply troubled, and I heard that he shed tears."
He emphasized that the outcome of a match should not be attributed to one individual but should be viewed as a collective effort involving the entire team and coaching staff.
The former batsman stressed that Pakistan should rally behind Babar and the team since they are not yet eliminated from the competition.
Yousuf recognized that losses are a natural part of the game, and it's essential to provide support during these challenging moments, as every player goes through them.
Yousuf also raised key points for serious discussion, including Pakistan's low run total against Afghanistan and the performance of their bowlers. He noted that the team appeared to be playing cautiously, possibly due to a fear of losing or losing wickets.