'Play thinking it's your day to become a hero,' advises Ijaz Ahmed

Cricket legends Muhammad Yousuf, Ijaz Ahmed, Mujahid Jamshed, and Azhar Zaidi shared their insights on Pakistan’s performance and the high-intensity Pakistan-India clash, as Samaa TV’s special transmission for the Champions Trophy 2025 continues.

Former cricketer Muhammad Yousuf reflected on Pakistan’s history in the tournament, recalling how the team remained dominant in the Champions Trophy until 2009. “After 2009, what happened that we started losing?” he questioned, but also reminded viewers of Pakistan’s memorable triumph in the 2017 Champions Trophy. 

He emphasized the significance of the Pakistan-India match, stating, “The hearts of 250 million Pakistanis beat for this game.”

Ex-batsman Ijaz Ahmed shared his experience on handling pressure in big matches. “The bigger the match, the more you should think that it is just another game,” he advised. 

He encouraged players to seize the moment, saying, “You should play thinking that today is my day to become a hero," recalling that this is how he used to think when he played. Acknowledging the emotional connection fans have with the Pakistan-India clash, he stressed the importance of maintaining a positive mindset while coming out in the field.

"If you win, people will call you a hero," Ijaz Ahmed stated. 

Cricket analyst Mujahid Jamshed commented on team selection, saying, “I thought that maybe Usman Khan would be played today.” Discussing Pakistan’s strategy, he suggested that the team should aim to play three to four overs where they score 12 to 15 runs per over in crucial phases to stay competitive. 

Sports expert Azhar Zaidi highlighted the unpredictability of high-scoring games, stating, “350 runs will not be scored every day.” He pointed out that Asian teams -- Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh -- understand each other’s body language, which adds another layer of complexity to their encounters.

He also noted that the team captain, currently at the crease, must focus on improving the run rate to keep Pakistan in the game.