The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made a significant announcement on Saturday, November 18, appointing the legendary batsman Mohammad Yousuf as the head coach of the Pakistan U19 Team. This marks a pivotal moment in Pakistani cricket, as Yousuf brings his wealth of experience and cricketing insight to nurture the talents of the young generation.
Mohammad Yousuf, often regarded as one of the greatest to have donned the Pakistani colors in international cricket, had a prolific career from 1998 to 2010. His elegant batting style and consistent performances have left an indelible mark on the cricketing world. Scoring 7,530 Test runs and 9,720 ODI runs, Yousuf’s achievements place him among the cricketing elite.
The 49-year-old cricketing maestro still holds the record for the most Test runs in a calendar year, an astonishing 1788 Test runs in 2006. His stellar contributions have not only inspired fans but have set benchmarks that aspiring cricketers aim to surpass.
Prior to this role, Mohammad Yousuf served as the batting coach for the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore. His transition from a celebrated player to a coach reflects his commitment to contributing to the growth of Pakistani cricket.
In an official statement released by the PCB, Yousuf expressed his honor in being appointed as the head coach of the U19 Team. He conveyed his excitement about the upcoming challenges and the prospect of working with young players. Yousuf’s commitment to the development of cricket in Pakistan shines through his words:
“I am pleased to join as Pakistan U19 head coach and feel honored to have been given the opportunity to contribute to Pakistan cricket by the Chairman PCB Management Committee, Mr Zaka Ashraf.
“I am eagerly looking forward to the upcoming U19 Asia Cup and ICC U19 World Cup tournaments, which are crucial to the players’ growth, and we will be aiming to do our best in these events.
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“Having had the privilege of working with the senior men’s side, I will bring my coaching experience to the U19 set-up, providing a nurturing environment for the young talents to thrive and make a mark on the international level.
“Harnessing the skills of young players is crucial for Pakistan cricket, and I am dedicated to fulfilling my responsibility in helping identify, improve, and nurture future stars.”
Yousuf’s first assignment as the head coach of the Pakistan U19 Team will be the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2023 in the UAE in December. Following this, he will guide the team in the ICC U19 World Cup 2024 in Sri Lanka in January-February. These tournaments are seen as crucial for the players’ development, and Yousuf is determined to make a positive impact.
