Islamabad, 17 April 2025: Former Pakistan cricket captain Mohammad Yousuf has questioned the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection process.
He said that performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) should not be the sole basis for choosing players for the national team.
Speaking during a talk show on a local news channel, the legendary batsman shared his concerns about the current selection strategy.
Referring to batter Usman Khan’s inclusion in the squad, Yousuf admitted he was unsure about the reasoning behind the decision, despite the player’s strong showing in the latest edition of the PSL.
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Yousuf noted that cricket analyst Azhar Zaidi had also recently commented on the matter, pointing out that the PSL should be viewed more as entertainment rather than a pipeline for national team recruitment.
According to Yousuf, a more structured approach is necessary. He suggested that young cricketers should first be trained at academies if they show promise, followed by a stint in domestic first-class cricket.
Only after consistent performances at that level, he said, should players be considered for the PSL — and eventually the national side.
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He stressed that skipping these key development steps weakens the overall selection process.
Citing Usman Khan’s case, Yousuf observed that the player had not gone through this recommended progression but was still fast-tracked into the national setup.
In his view, even scoring multiple centuries in a T20 league like the PSL shouldn’t automatically guarantee a spot in the national team.
He believes selection should be based on long-term development, performance across formats, and proven ability in competitive domestic cricket.
The comments have reignited the ongoing debate around the role of PSL in shaping Pakistan’s cricket future and whether the country’s talent pipeline is being managed with a sustainable, merit-based vision.
