Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh believes Pakistan hold the upper hand against India ahead of their much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 showdown in Dubai on February 23.
In a recent interview, Yuvraj pointed out that Pakistan’s extensive experience of playing in Dubai gives them a key advantage over their arch-rivals.
“I actually think Pakistan has an advantage because they have a base in Dubai. They have played a lot of cricket there and understand the conditions well,” he said.
He emphasized that an India-Pakistan clash isn’t just about big names but about handling pressure and adapting to the situation.
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“You talk about match-winners—yes, I agree with Shahid Afridi that we have more match-winners. But I believe that even if Pakistan has fewer match-winners, one player can still take the game away,” Yuvraj Singh added.
“The game is not just about match-winners; it’s about playing in the moment and not letting expectations get the better of you. The team that does this better will win.”
It’s worth noting that Pakistan are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 60-run loss to New Zealand in their opening match in Karachi.
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Meanwhile, India started their Champions Trophy campaign with a convincing win against Bangladesh as they comfortably chased a 229-run target against Bangladesh, thanks to a brilliant 101-run knock by Shubman Gill.
Historically, Pakistan has a slight edge over India in the Champions Trophy, winning three out of their five meetings.
Their last encounter in the tournament was the 2017 final, where Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side produced a dominant performance, thrashing India by 180 runs to lift their first-ever Champions Trophy title.
READ: Champions Trophy 2025: Former cricketer names Pakistan’s ‘biggest threat’ against India