Mohammad Yousuf hasn't "seen a finer batsman in Pakistan" since his retirement from the highest level of the game than Babar Azam, who has been a prolific run-scorer for a nation not known for producing such prodigious batting talents. 

Yousuf, himself one of the best-ever Pakistani batsmen in the history of the sport, hailed Babar and backed him to continue his excellent run across formats. 

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“Babar is a class apart from the others right now. That is why he is in the ICC’s top five rankings in all three formats. Personally, I have not seen a finer batsman in Pakistan than Babar since I last played for the national team,” the 45-year-old said on GTV News Channel.

Babar's record already gives a fantastic reading, with him averaging over 50 in both ODIs, T20Is and also improving with time in the Test cricket where he averages 45.12 after 25 matches, including 5 hundreds and 13 half-centuries. 

The 25-year-old was outstanding in this year's edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), scoring three fifties in nine innings for Karachi Kings before the tournament was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Babar's attractive strokeplay, overall ability has often drawn comparisons with Indian batting maestros Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. But Yousuf thinks it isn't wise to compare Babar to anyone, for he has his own journey. 

Meanwhile, Yousuf is quite critical of current head coach and chief selector Misbah Ul Haq for recalling players Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik despite them well past their prime. 

"I just don’t understand why give so much responsibility to one man and I don’t see any planning in the way Misbah is handling things," he said. 

"Why recall Hafeez and Malik when their records in places like Australia is clear. It is a step backwards for Pakistan cricket."

(Inputs from HT)