Yousuf Blames Arrogance for Pakistan’s India Losses

Pakistan’s recent struggles against India have triggered sharp criticism from former cricketers, with Mohammad Yousuf attributing the team’s dip in form to overconfidence after their 2021 T20 World Cup victory.

India’s 61-run win on Sunday marked their fourth straight victory over Pakistan since September 2022. Since 2017, Pakistan have beaten India only three times — in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, the 2021 T20 World Cup, and once during the 2022 Asia Cup.

‘We Thought No One Was Better Than Us’

Speaking on a podcast, Yousuf said Pakistan’s dominant 10-wicket win over India at the ICC T20 World Cup in Dubai led to a change in team attitude.

According to him, the historic victory — Pakistan’s first over India in a World Cup — created a sense of superiority within the squad. He claimed some players stopped paying attention to coaches and became distracted during team discussions.

Yousuf said such behaviour is harmful for any team and stressed that past greats remained grounded regardless of their achievements.

Shadab’s Remarks Add Fuel

Yousuf’s comments come shortly after Shadab Khan responded to criticism from former Pakistan players.

Shadab pointed out that many ex-cricketers questioning the current squad had themselves never defeated India in a World Cup. He highlighted the 2021 victory as a rare achievement.

The remarks have sparked debate about team culture and accountability within Pakistan cricket.

Babar Azam’s Form Under Scrutiny

Yousuf also spoke about the form of Babar Azam, who has faced questions over his performances in recent years.

Babar scored a century against Sri Lanka in an ODI in November, ending a long wait for a hundred. However, his overall consistency has been under scrutiny.

Yousuf revealed that during his brief stint as Pakistan’s batting coach, he had considered dropping Babar based on form. He said he faced resistance over the idea and eventually resigned after three months.

According to Yousuf, no player should remain out of form for an extended period without corrective steps being taken.

Bigger Questions for Pakistan Cricket

Pakistan’s defeats to India in recent ICC tournaments and bilateral contests have intensified discussions about team direction, leadership and discipline.

While former players continue to voice concerns, the current squad is preparing for upcoming fixtures in the T20 World Cup 2026 cycle.

Whether Pakistan can rediscover consistency against their biggest rivals remains to be seen, but the debate over team culture and accountability is unlikely to fade soon.