Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf has recently revealed his favorites for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 19 February.
According to Yousuf, New Zealand and India are the most balanced teams in the tournament, with all bases covered in their squads.
“It’s tough to pick a favorite. It’s a big tournament, and momentum can shift at any time. For me, New Zealand looks like the most balanced side,” Yousuf said.
“They have a well-rounded squad suited for subcontinent conditions. Their lineup includes three quality fast bowlers, good spinners, and a solid top six in batting.
“Their wicketkeeper is an all-rounder, and they have two spin-bowling all-rounders as well. India also has a balanced squad.”
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He recognized that Pakistan would have the distinct advantage of playing on home soil in the Champions Trophy 2025. They can benefit from it if they approach the tournament with strategic intent, harnessing the energy of local support to elevate their performance.
“Pakistan has the edge because they are familiar with the conditions. However, they must play calculated cricket throughout the tournament,” he stated.
Mohammad Yousuf also shared a piece of important advice for the Pakistan team, emphasising the importance of rotating the strike and minimising dot balls.
“We have played on turning wickets recently, so we need to find the gaps against spinners, rotate the strike, and minimize dot balls,” he added.
“In the tri-series final against New Zealand, we struggled to dominate their spinners in the middle overs. With five fielders inside the 30-yard circle, there are always scoring opportunities.”
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