Here's what Yousuf thinks of the T20 format

Playing in Tests you have to be mentally and physically alert, says Former Pakistan batsman

Former Pakistan test cricketer Muhammad Yousuf on Saturday said success in the Test format defines a cricket player, while labeling the T20 format as pure 'entertainment’ for the general public.

The 41-year-old veteran, who represented Pakistan in 90 Tests, said the five-day game is more strenuous for cricketers while the T20 format only provides entertainment for casual viewers.

“Playing in Tests, you have to be mentally and physically alert and have the ability to last for five enduring days, whereas T20 is a three-hour bash and entertainment for casual spectators,” he told Bahrain’s DT News.



Yousuf further argued that the T20 game hinders growth of players.

“Frankly, I’m not enthusiastic about the T20 game because it stunts development,” he said.

The veteran also said that players such as Sir Garfield Sobers, Steve Waugh and Imran Khan have expressed concern that T20 cricket in particular seems to be taking over and lessening the importance of Tests and one-days.



Yousuf, who is currently visiting Bahrain at the invitation of Bahrain Cricket League, became interested in cricket as a youngster. He was influenced by Pakistani greats like Saeed Anwar and Inzamamul Haq.

“I never dreamt that one day I would represent my country and lead it, which has been a great honour for me,” he said.



In his Test career, Yousuf scored 7,530 runs at an average of 52.29 with a high score of 223 which included 24 centuries.

The veteran created quite a few records in his time, which included breaking the record for most runs in Tests in a calendar year.