The India-Pakistan rivalry has reached fever pitch in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025. Despite players on both sides trying to treat it as “just another match,” the anticipation and excitement among fans and experts are palpable. Ahead of the big-ticket clash on Sunday, February 23, at the Dubai International Stadium, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh and former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi shared contrasting views on the upcoming encounter during a television program.
Afridi’s View: India Has More Match-Winners
Afridi, who has been part of many India-Pakistan duels, believes that India has the upper hand due to a higher number of match-winners in their squad. “If we talk about match-winners, I’d say that India has more match-winners compared to Pakistan. A match-winner is someone who knows how to win the game single-handedly. Right now, we don’t have such players in Pakistan,” Afridi said on a special episode of JioHotstar’s Greatest Rivalry Returns.
He added that India’s strength lies in its middle and lower order, where they have consistently found match-winners, unlike Pakistan. Afridi emphasized the importance of collective performance from batsmen, bowlers, and spinners to win against India.
Yuvraj’s Perspective: Pakistan Has the Edge in Dubai
However, Yuvraj Singh disagreed with Afridi’s assessment. He believes that Pakistan has an edge due to their extensive experience playing in Dubai. “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. On slower wickets, Indian and Pakistani players are among the best, who have always played spin well,” Yuvraj said.
While agreeing with Afridi’s point about India having more match-winners, Yuvraj highlighted that a single player could still change the game for Pakistan. He stressed that the India-Pakistan clash is not just about match-winners but also about adapting to the situation and handling the pressure.
Contrasting Starts in the Champions Trophy
India and Pakistan have had contrasting starts in the Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan lost to New Zealand by 60 runs in Karachi, while India secured a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Dubai. If Pakistan fails to beat India on Sunday, they will likely be knocked out of the tournament.
As the much-awaited clash approaches, cricket fans worldwide are eager to see which team will emerge victorious and add another memorable chapter to the storied India-Pakistan rivalry.
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