Former Pakistan legend Mohammad Yousuf has backed Pakistan to defend their Champions Trophy title but also believes that the side will have an edge over India with home conditions.
Yousuf has shared his excitement and expressed his confidence in the national team’s performance on home ground. He wants the Pakistan 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,” said Mohammad Yousuf.
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. When he asked about the most balanced side of the tournament, 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,” Mohammad Yousuf observed.
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.
As per Pakistan’s Champions Trophy schedule, the hosts will begin their campaign on February 19 against New Zealand to whom they suffered a defeat in the Tri-nation series finals recently.
Following the match, Pakistan will travel to Dubai to face arch-rivals India on February 23 at Dubai International Stadium before facing Banglaesh on February 27.
