When arch-rivals India and Pakistan meet on a cricket field, sparks fly and much of the same is expected as the two sides clash in the ongoing Asia Cup in Sri Lanka’s Kandy on Saturday. The two teams are all set to face off for the first time in a One Day International (ODI) in four years.
Pakistan Cricket shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, showing how the players from the two teams interacted in a warm and light-hearted manner with each other. “Pakistan and India players meet up ahead of Saturday’s #PAKvIND match in Kandy,” it posted.
Former India captain Virat Kohli shared some light-hearted moments with Pakistan cricketer Haris Rauf. The two were involved in a crucial match at the T20 World Cup in Australia last year when India triumphed with a sensational knock from Kohli. Chasing 160 for a win, Kohli scored an unbeaten 82 and smashed consecutive sixes off Haris Rauf.
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However, their conversation was barely about the last game as Kohli quickly enquired Rauf about his fitness. “Jidhar se gujarta hu, ‘Kohli-Kohli’ kehte hai (Wherever I go, people say ‘Kohli-Kohli’),” Haris Rauf would tell Kohli.
“Keep going brother, there are big tournaments coming up,” the former India captain says.
The clip also showed exchanges between India captain Rohit Sharma and his Pakistan counterpart Babar Azam and Imam-Ul-Haq. Mohammed Siraj was also seen in conversation with Rauf.
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
As people gear up to watch the highly-anticipated match, many also have their own rituals and superstitions that they follow. Food delivery app Swiggy retweeted a tweet from October last year as good luck. “Last year #INDvPAK happened, we posted this and India won. posting this again for good luck. what did you tweet?” it wrote.
last year #INDvPAK happened, we posted this and India won. posting this again for good luck 🍋🌶️🧿
what did you tweet? #ReplayWithSwiggy https://t.co/4Ct2DV10m2
— Swiggy (@Swiggy) September 1, 2023
See other reaction on social media below:
Area boys are aggressive about #INDvsPAK at the Asia Cup 🤬 The reality may be a little different though. pic.twitter.com/DxisBWXUQe
— Danish Sait (@DanishSait) September 1, 2023
Pakistan players offered Namaz at Pallekele during the practice session ahead of their game against India. #PAKvIND #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/wYr1AfovsU
— Ahmad Haseeb (@iamAhmadhaseeb) September 1, 2023
This ad >>>>> all other ads 🤩#AsiaCup2023 #INDvsPAKpic.twitter.com/FzzhuColWR
— Shivam⁴⁵ (@Hitmangoathai) August 27, 2023
What is that one battle you guys are looking forward to from tomorrow’s game? Mine is Shahin vs Rohit. Yours??? #INDvsPAK
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 1, 2023
The last time the two teams have played against each other in the ODIs was way back in 2019 World Cup, where India registered a thumping 89-run win. In the last five ODI matches, India are leading 4-1 in head-to-head. Their only loss was at Oval in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
