ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mohammad Yousuf picks India vs Pakistan winner

Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf expressed his excitement about his country hosting an ICC event after 29 years. Mohammad Yousuf also stated that the Mohammad Rizwan-led team has the edge over the Indian team during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to home conditions advantage.

The Champions Trophy is set to begin on February 19, with defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the opening match in Lahore. Team India will play all their matches in Dubai due to political tensions. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has renovated stadiums for the tournament.

Kudos to PCB for Renovating All the Stadiums - Mohammad Yousuf

Mohammad Yousuf praised the Pakistan Cricket Board for renovating the stadiums within six months. Yousuf hopes the national team delivers performances that match the effort put into preparing the venues. He stated that Pakistan will have the advantage of playing at home.

"I am very excited like any Pakistani. After 29 years, Pakistan is hosting an ICC event," Yousuf told Samaa TV.

"Kudos to the PCB for the way they renovated all the stadiums in six months. If Pakistan reaches the final, they will play at home. I hope Pakistan cricket plays exactly the way the PCB has worked to prepare the stadiums."

Pakistan Have the Edge Over India - Mohammad Yousuf

Yousuf stated New Zealand have a well-balanced squad suited for subcontinent conditions. He added the Kiwis have a strong pace attack, quality spinners, and a solid batting lineup. Mohammad also stated that India have a balanced squad but added that Pakistan would have the advantage due to home conditions.

"New Zealand looks like the most balanced side. They have a good side as per the subcontinent conditions and they have three quality fast bowlers and good spinners, they have a solid top six in batting. The wicketkeeper is an all-rounder; they have two spin-bowling all-rounders," said Yousuf.

"India, too, have a balanced side. Pakistan have the edge because they are playing in home conditions. But they have to play calculated cricket in the tournament," he added.

Pakistan is placed in Group A alongside India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, with Australia, Afghanistan, England, and South Africa in Group B. Pakistan won the 2017 edition by defeating India in the final under Sarfaraz Ahmed's captaincy.

The Mohammad Rizwan-led team will take on India in the fifth match of the tournament at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23. They will conclude their group stage with a match against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on February 27.

We Got Exposed in the Tri-Series Final Against New Zealand - Mohammad Yousuf

Mohammad Yousuf highlighted concerns about Pakistan's team performance in the upcoming tournament. He added that Pakistan struggled against spinners in the tri-series final against New Zealand. Yousuf stated that Pakistan needs to minimize dot balls to improve their game in the middle overs.

"We have played on turning wickets recently. We need to play in the gaps against the spinners. Rotate the strike and play fewer dots. We got exposed in the tri-series final against New Zealand. We failed to dominate their spinners in the middle overs. There are too many gaps with five fielders in the 30-yard circle," he added.

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