By Swati
New Delhi, September 6, 2026
Former Pakistan batting great and ex-coach Mohammad Yousuf has made a striking claim about the decline of Pakistan cricket, suggesting that the team’s historic 10-wicket victory over India in the 2021 T20 World Cup may have ultimately damaged its long-term progress.
Pakistan had created history in Dubai by defeating India by 10 wickets in the 2021 T20 World Cup. The victory was Pakistan’s first-ever win over India in a World Cup match and was widely celebrated as a landmark moment in the country’s cricketing history.
However, Yousuf believes the celebrations and the mindset that followed the victory contributed to problems within the team.
‘Players Felt They Had Achieved Everything’
According to Yousuf, the historic win created a false sense of achievement among some players. Instead of treating the victory as the beginning of a successful campaign, members of the squad began behaving as though they had already accomplished the ultimate goal.
He suggested that the team gradually lost the humility and hunger required to maintain success at the highest level.
Captaincy Rivalry Created Internal Problems
Yousuf also pointed towards growing internal competition for leadership positions. He claimed that after the 2021 victory, several players began looking towards captaincy, resulting in a power struggle within the dressing room.
The former Pakistan star believes these internal divisions affected team culture and eventually contributed to inconsistent performances.
Poor Results Across Major Tournaments
Yousuf said Pakistan’s cricket subsequently suffered across several major tournaments, including T20 World Cups, ODI World Cups, Asia Cups and the Champions Trophy.
He described the team’s cricket over the following four to five years as disappointing, arguing that the problems went beyond individual performances and reflected deeper issues within the team’s culture.
‘No One Took Responsibility’
The former Pakistan coach also criticised the lack of individual accountability within the setup.
According to Yousuf, Pakistan changed coaches and received strong backing from the Pakistan Cricket Board, but players themselves failed to take sufficient responsibility for the team’s poor run.
He has also backed the PCB’s recent disciplinary measures and squad changes, saying strict action is necessary to restore discipline and rebuild a healthy team environment.
Yousuf’s comments have added another dimension to the ongoing debate surrounding Pakistan cricket’s struggles. His argument is not that the 2021 victory itself was harmful, but that the attitude and internal dynamics that followed the historic win may have contributed to the team’s subsequent decline.
The views expressed in this report are attributed to Mohammad Yousuf and represent his assessment of the factors behind Pakistan cricket’s decline.
