Former India’s legend Yuvraj Singh feels Pakistan have an advantage over India in their upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 clash which is slated to be played on February 23. The much-awaited India vs Pakistan ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match has gained attention.
It doesn’t matter how much the players of both teams try to dismiss it by citing it as just another game but the external noise is getting louder day by day. Ex-cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Shahid Afridi were seen getting involved in a heated exchange on a TV show before the high-octane match, which would be held on Sunday in Dubai.
Pakistan’s disastrous start to Champions Trophy 2025 and their head to head records vs India in Champions Trophy
Talking about their head-to-head record, India and Pakistan have locked horns with each other in ODIs 28 times in UAE in which Men in Green have emerged winners 19 times while Men in Blue clinched the issue on nine occasions. Also, Pakistan hold a stronger record against India in the Champions Trophy. Of the five encounters between the two teams in the tournament, Pakistan have emerged victorious in three, including a memorable win in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy Final.
Leading up to this crucial encounter, former India’s star all-rounder Yuvraj Singh feels that Pakistan holds a slight advantage over Rohit Sharma’s brigade. He not only said it but also explained the rationale behind it.
India legend’s Yuvraj Singh’s massive statement ahead of IND vs PAK 2025 Champions Trophy match
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh reckons that Pakistan have an advantage over the Men in Blue heading into the 2025 Champions Trophy clash because of their familiarity with conditions in Dubai. Yuvraj Singh also admitted that while India have more match-winners, when it comes to Indo-Pak contests, it’s more about seizing the big moments and adapting to situations.
Team India began their 2025 Champions Trophy campaign with a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in Dubai. On the other hand, Pakistan went down to New Zealand by 60 runs in the tournament opener in Karachi. The arch-rivals will clash in the marquee match of the ICC event in Dubai on Sunday, February 23.
Sharing his thoughts on JioHotstar’s ‘Greatest Rivalry Returns’, ahead of the mega clash, Yuvraj Singh explained while he feels Pakistan might have a slight edge in the contest. The former India all-rounder commented (as quoted by ANI):
“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,”
“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. 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,” the 43-year-old Yuvraj Singh added.
India bowled first in their 2025 Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh and restricted the opposition to 228. Mohammed Shami starred with 5-53, while Harshit Rana claimed three wickets and Axar Patel two. In the chase, Shubman Gill returned unbeaten on 101 off 129 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes.
Pakistan bowled first in the tournament opener against New Zealand in Karachi and conceded 320-5. In the chase, they were bowled out for 260 in 47.2 overs. Khushdil Shah top-scored with 69 off 49, while Babar Azam contributed 64, but ate up 90 deliveries.
Notably, both India and Pakistan will be missing their key players for this crucial encounter. Pakistan will be without Fakhar Zaman due to injury, who was recently ruled out of the remainder of the Champions Trophy, while India continues to be without their star pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
India and Pakistan had contrasting starts to their campaigns in the ongoing mega-event. The Mohammed Rizwan-led side lost to New Zealand by 60 runs, but India defeated Bangladesh by six wickets. If Pakistan loses the match against India on Sunday, then it will most likely be eliminated from the tournament.