Watch: Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant chat with injured Shaheen Afridi forward of India vs Pakistan Asia Cup match

Ahead of the big-ticket conflict within the Asia Cup on Sunday, India and Pakistan gamers have been assembly and greeting one another throughout the coaching periods on the ICC Academy in Dubai. A day after Virat Kohli and Pakistan captain Babar Azam met, left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi interacted with India stars, together with Kohli, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Shaheen Afridi has traveled to the UAE with the Pakistan squad regardless of having been dominated out of Asia Cup 2022 because of a knee harm. The left-arm pacer was seen carrying a knee brace as he interacted with the India cricketers.

In a video shared by Pakistan Cricket Board, Shaheen Afridi may be seen having a chat with the Indian gamers, who seemingly are heading to a coaching session on the ICC Academy. Afridi may be seen having a prolonged chat with Virat Kohli on the finish of which the previous captain may be heard thanking the quick bowler for finest needs.

Shaheen Afridi may be heard jokingly telling India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant that he’s pondering of batting for Pakistan on the Asia Cup.

Afridi additionally met India vice-captain KL Rahul, who himself is returning to T20 motion after recovering from harm and ailing well being. Rahul had led India within the 3-match ODI collection in Zimbabwe earlier this month. Rahul is but to play a T20I for India within the ongoing World Cup yr.

The video of Shaheen Afridi interacting with India gamers is being broadly shared on social media with cricket followers from each nations lauding mutual respect among the many star cricketers.

Afridi was instrumental in serving to Pakistan beat India by 10 wickets as he knocked over the top-order, eradicating Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul cheaply earlier than returning to cease Virat Kohli, who received a fifty.

India will likely be led by Rohit Sharma in a T20I match in opposition to Pakistan for the primary time because the defending champions look to start their marketing campaign on the Asia Cup with a morale-boosting win.

Notably, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, chatting with Star Sports earlier within the week, mentioned Afridi’s absence may have a big effect on Pakistan’s possibilities, highlighting the dearth of selection within the bowling assault.

The Pakistan Cricket Board, earlier this week, named right-arm pacer Mohammad Hasnain as Shaheen’s alternative for Asia Cup. Notably, Shaheen is dealing with a race in opposition to time to get match for the T20 World Cup, beginning October 16 in Australia.

“Shaheen Afridi will be missed a lot. He is important because of the new ball. In this format, if you have to restrict the opposition by taking early wickets and that is what the does. He attacks the stumps in all formats.

“There was criticism when he didn’t take a break however he’s solely 22. He has received a knee harm which takes time to heal and also you at all times concern that it would come again. He is without doubt one of the world’s prime three bowlers so an enormous setback for Pakistan.

“There is still pace in the bowling department but there is no variation (in the absence of Shaheen’s left arm pace). They all are right handers,” Akram mentioned.

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