Some Indian cricketers visited Pakistan’s injured fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi on Thursday and inquired about his well-being, The top Asian cricket teams are now in Dubai for the Twenty20 Asia Cup 2022. On the spur of the moment, cricketers from various teams are meeting together. Players from perennial rivals Pakistan and India will also meet before the competition.
The main cricket competition in Asia begins on August 27 in the United Arab Emirates. Six teams, including Pakistan and India, are in Dubai working on their preparations. Shaheen Afridi has been left out of the T20 team for the tournament. He is, however, on a treatment tour.
The Indian squad came to meet Shaheen Afridi when he was resting during a training session. Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul paid him a visit and inquired about his health. The Indian players wished him a speedy recovery.
Stars align ahead of the #AsiaCup2022 🤩
A high-profile meet and greet on the sidelines 👏 pic.twitter.com/c5vsNCi6xw
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 25, 2022
At the same time, it was a delightful get-together for both teams’ coaching staffs. Previously, a meeting between Virat Kohli and Pakistan captain Babar Azam drew praise from cricket fans all around the world.
Pakistan & India will Clash on Sunday
India and Pakistan might face each other three times during the two-week T20 tournament in the United Arab Emirates. The six-nation tournament was relocated from Sri Lanka because of political upheaval, and it is especially important this year because the T20 World Cup in Australia is quickly approaching, in October and November.
Sri Lanka takes on Afghanistan in the first match on Saturday, but all eyes will be on India and Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday. India will be hoping to avenge a 10-wicket loss to Pakistan at the same site in last year’s T20 World Cup, and skipper Rohit Sharma is trying to keep his players calm as fan expectations and enthusiasm mount.
“Everyone watches the game, and it’s a high-pressure game without a doubt,” he told Star Sports. “Within the group, we try to establish a regular vibe.” “We don’t want to overhype this game. It’s critical to remind players who haven’t faced Pakistan or have only faced them once or twice that they’re simply another opponent.” India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, has COVID, and India hired veteran cricketer VVS Laxman as interim coach late on Wednesday.
