ICC Champions Trophy 2025: "Pakistan has the edge" - Mohammad Yousuf warns India and others

Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf feels that India and New Zealand are the most balanced sides for the upcoming Champions Trophy. While he chose these two teams among the favorites, he also believes that home side Pakistan will have an edge.

India and New Zealand come into this Champions Trophy on the back of fantastic wins under their belt. India blanked England 3-0 in the three-match ODI series while New Zealand won the tri-series involving Pakistan and South Africa.

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Mohammad Yousuf excited about Champions Trophy

During a show on Samaa TV, Mohammad Yousuf expressed his excitement about the upcoming Champions Trophy. He wants Pakistan's team to perform the way PCB has worked hard to renovate the stadiums and lauded the board for the renovation.

“I am very excited like any Pakistani. After 29 years, Pakistan is hosting an ICC event. If Pakistan reaches the final, then they will play at home. I wish Pakistan cricket would play exactly the way the PCB has worked to renovate the stadiums. Kudos to the PCB for the way they renovated all the stadiums in six months," Yousuf said.

Pakistan hosted an ICC event for the last time in 1996 when the ODI World Cup was played in the country. Pakistan jointly hosted the World Cup during that time alongside India and Sri Lanka. The Champions Trophy 2025 is the first ICC tournament in the country since 1996.

India, New Zealand the most balanced sides, claims Mohammad Yousuf

When asked about the most balanced sides of the tournament, Mohammad Yousuf picked India and New Zealand as the ones. Yousuf feels that New Zealand have a good side according to these conditions in both the batting and bowling department.

“They have a good side as per the subcontinent conditions. 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. India, too, has a balanced side," Yousuf observed.

However, the former batter feels that Pakistan have the edge of playing in familiar home conditions that will suit their style. Mohammad Yousuf also advised Pakistan to play calculated cricket in the tournament and rotate strike against the spinners.

“Pakistan has the edge because they are playing in home conditions. But they have to play calculated cricket in the tournament. We have played on turning wickets recently. We need to play in the gaps against the spinners. Rotate the strike and play fewer dots," Yousuf added.

Pakistan's schedule in Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan will begin their campaign on February 19 against New Zealand at Karachi. It is the same opposition that they faced in the tri-series final recently. The Men in Green will then travel to Dubai to face arch-rivals India.

They will then play Bangladesh on February 27 in Rawalpindi in their final group match. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-final. Recently, Pakistan lost the tri-series final in Karachi to New Zealand which has raised questions over their capability.