ICC Champions Trophy 2025: 'Pakistan have upper hand' - Yuvraj Singh & other legends make IND vs PAK prediction

Former cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Shahid Afridi answered questions that cricket fans from India and Pakistan would be eager to ask. They also shared their insights on the winner of the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The ICC Champions Trophy is returning to the cricket calendar for the first time since 2017 when Pakistan secured their maiden title by defeating India in the final match. Pakistan is the official host of the tournament, but Team India will play all their matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

India and Pakistan Placed in Group A With Bangladesh and New Zealand

India and Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh and New Zealand for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which begins on February 19. Pakistan have the edge over India in the tournament, winning three of their five encounters. Their highly anticipated clash will be played on February 23 in Dubai.

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Tickets reportedly sold out within minutes, given that India-Pakistan contests now only take place in major tournaments. Earlier, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the Men in Green’s real challenge should be defeating the Rohit Sharma-led team, not just winning the upcoming tournament.

Pakistan Have the Upper Hand in Dubai - Yuvraj Singh

Star Sports has assembled a star-studded panel featuring former Indian cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu, along with ex-Pakistan captains Inzamam-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi. The panelists shared their views on which team holds the advantage heading into the match.

Yuvraj Singh said that Pakistan have the upper hand due to Dubai’s conditions, while Navjot Singh Sidhu feels India are a stronger and more balanced side. Inzamam-ul-Haq stated that both teams are evenly matched, adding that the outcome will also depend on their body language on the day.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙄𝙨 𝙊𝙣! 🇮🇳🆚🇵🇰 Ahead of #INDvPAK in #ChampionsTrophy, #YuvrajSingh, #NavjotSinghSidhu, #ShahidAfridi and #InzamamulHaq take their picks, in a fun, rapid-fire round! 💥

Who will ace this #GreatestRivalry? ✍👇

'𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗥𝗬… pic.twitter.com/qzhGr8ovvy

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 16, 2025

Yuvraj Singh: In Dubai conditions, Pakistan would have an upper hand.

Sidhu: India is a much better, balanced side.

Haq: Both the teams are equal. It also depends on the teams' body language on the day.

Attitude and Body Language Will Decide the Winner - Shahid Afridi

Recalling the 2011 World Cup semifinal against India, Shahid Afridi admitted that Pakistan initially felt confident about victory. However, India’s energy and intensity on the field made him sense from the sidelines that chasing the target might not be possible.

Afridi: Attitude and body language will tell you which team is going to win. Honestly, we (thought we) had won the 2011 World Cup. But after our first wicket fell and the way India's body language changed in the field, I got a feeling sitting outside that we may not be able to score the runs. So it's all about body language and how you overpower the other team.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will begin on February 19 in Karachi, with defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the opening match. Pakistan will host 10 matches, while four games, including all of India's group-stage fixtures and the first semi-final, will take place in Dubai.

Also read: Aakash Chopra openly exposes Pakistan's strengths and weaknesses before Champions Trophy 2025