February 21, 2025: Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh believes that Pakistan holds an advantage heading into their high-profile ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against India. Yuvraj pointed out that Pakistan has a strong understanding of the conditions in Dubai, having played a significant amount of cricket in the city, giving them a tactical edge over their rivals.
In the “Greatest Rivalry Returns” program on JioHotstar, Yuvraj explained, “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.” This insight comes in light of the fact that Pakistan has historically performed well in the Champions Trophy, including a significant 180-run victory over India in the 2017 final, a tournament that saw a dominant Virat Kohli leading the Indian side.
The former cricketer also reflected on how both India and Pakistan have excelled on slower wickets, where players are adept at playing spin bowling. He stressed that the India-Pakistan rivalry isn’t solely about match-winners but is equally about handling the pressure of the moment, adapting to the match situation, and not letting the high expectations overwhelm the players.
“Yes, Pakistan may have fewer match-winners, but one individual can still make the difference,” Yuvraj noted. “The India-Pakistan clash is not about match-winners alone; it’s about playing in the moment, adapting to the situation, and not letting expectations overwhelm you. The team that does this better will win the game for their country,” he added.
Looking ahead, both teams are preparing for an intense face-off. India has a star-studded lineup, including the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya, while Pakistan’s squad features stalwarts like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan. The encounter promises to be a thrilling contest as the two cricketing giants gear up for another historic battle.