Ahead of India’s high-profile Asia Cup opener on Sunday against neighbours Pakistan, stars from both sides came together on the sidelines at the ICC Academy in Dubai yesterday. Virat Kohli, who had previously shared pleasantries with Babar Azam in a brief exchange, extended his greetings to injured Shaheen Afridi. Yuzvendra Chahal also went up to the pacer, inquiring about his injury while promising to catch up later. But the duo weren’t the only ones to seek out Afridi, with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and opener KL Rahul also in the mix.

Also Read: Watch: Virat Kohli and Yuzvendra Chahal meet Shaheen Afridi ahead of Asia Cup clash

Shaheen and Pant were all smiles and playful banter. “Yaar main soch raha hu aapki tarah bas batting shuru kar du, ek haath se chhakke lagaau” (I’m thinking of becoming a batter like you, start hitting sixes with a single hand), joked Shaheen. To which Pant replied:

“fast bowler ho toh effort lagaana padega sir! Compulsory hai!” (If you’re a fast bowler, you’ve to put in the effort. It’s compulsory!).

Pant inquired about Shaheen’s injury, more precisely, the duration of his lay-off. To which the 22-year-old replied, “5 weeks.” Shaheen also wished the Indian luck for the upcoming tie.

(Watch from 1:10)

KL Rahul also inquired about Shaheen’s injury status, to which the pacer said ‘World Cup.” The rest of the conversation was largely incomprehensible. It wasn’t just the Indians and Pakistanis socializing. The Sri Lankan squad- training at the same facilities- was also present. The two nations recently played each other, their familiarity evident among the players.

Also Read: Asia Cup 2022: Can India’s bowling line-up overwhelm Pakistan?

The camaraderie of the players and coaching staff of rival teams was a welcome break from the jingoism that follows cricket in the subcontinent. Sunday’s India-Pakistan encounter comes against a backdrop of increasing Anti-Muslim sentiments in India (one expects a similar current in Pakistan but towards Hindus). The animosity adds unnecessary baggage to what is likely to be a rip-roaring cricket match between two evenly matched teams. One hopes the good cheer between the two squads spreads across the populace of the neighbouring countries.