Ahead of the highly anticipated clash between Pakistan and India in the Asia Cup tomorrow, cricketers from both teams shared a friendly interaction on Friday. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) posted a video on social media where Pakistani and Indian players displayed mutual respect.
In the video, Pakistan’s fast bowler Haris Rauf and Indian batsman Virat Kohli were seen conversing and showing great sportsmanship. Other Pakistani players such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Imam-ul-Haq, and captain Babar Azam also interacted with their Indian counterparts.
The intense match between the two arch-rivals is scheduled to take place tomorrow at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium as the third game of the Asia Cup.
Pakistan and India players meet up ahead of Saturday's #PAKvIND match in Kandy ✨#AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/iP94wjsX6G
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 1, 2023
Regardless of the match’s outcome, cricket enthusiasts are hoping for the spirit of the game to prevail, as demonstrated by both teams during their friendly interactions.
Haris Rauf, the Pakistani fast bowler, expressed optimism about Pakistan’s performance in the ongoing Asia Cup and the upcoming World Cup. He emphasized his commitment to serving his country by not only taking wickets but also performing effectively in various match situations.
Rauf mentioned his preparation for the transition from T20Is to ODIs and how he and Shaheen Shah Afridi worked on their bowling during The Hundred tournament. He also highlighted the positive results of the ODI series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka and discussed the importance of patience in Asian conditions when playing ODIs. Rauf stated that he always adapted his bowling approach to suit the prevailing conditions.