Former Pakistan batting great Mohammad Yousuf has backed the hosts to outperform India in the Champions Trophy, citing home conditions as a crucial advantage. "India (too) have a balanced side. Pakistan have the edge because they are playing in home conditions. But they have to play calculated cricket in the tournament," Yousuf told Samaa TV. Historic return Speaking ahead of Pakistan's first ICC event hosting in 29 years, Yousuf expressed his enthusiasm: "I am very excited like any Pakistani. After 29 years, Pakistan is hosting an ICC event." Venue preparation The Pakistan Cricket Board's efficiency in renovating venues has drawn praise from Yousuf. "Kudos to the PCB for the way they renovated all the stadiums in six months," he said, adding, "I hope Pakistan cricket plays exactly the way the PCB has worked to prepare the stadiums." Tournament contenders While acknowledging India's strength, Yousuf particularly highlighted New Zealand as a formidable challenger. "New Zealand looks like the most balanced side. They have three quality fast bowlers and good spinners. They have a solid top six in batting," he noted, emphasizing their adaptation to subcontinent conditions. Yousuf identifies specific areas of focus Drawing from recent performances, Yousuf outlined specific areas for improvement. "We have played on turning wickets recently. We need to play in the gaps against the spinners. Rotate the strike and play fewer dots," he advised, referencing Pakistan's struggles in their recent tri-series final against New Zealand. The tournament opens on Wednesday at Karachi's National Stadium with hosts Pakistan facing New Zealand, marking a significant milestone in Pakistani cricket history.Original Article