Asia Cup 2022: Indian players visit Shaheen Afridi, wish him early recovery

DUBAI: Some Indian cricket players called on Pakistan's injured fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi on Thursday and inquired after his wellbeing, Geo News reported.

The top cricket teams of Asia are currently present in Dubai for the Twenty20 Asia Cup 2022. The cricketers of different teams are having haphazard meetups with each other. The players from traditional rivals -- Pakistan and India -- also see each other ahead of the tournament.

Asia's major cricket tournament is starting on August 27 in the UAE. Six teams, including Pakistan and India, are present in Dubai, busy with their practice sessions.

Shaheen Afridi is not included in the T20 squad for the event. However, he is part of the tour for rehab.

The players of the Indian team came to meet Shaheen Afridi as he was resting during the training session. Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul visited him and asked about his fitness. The Indian players wished him well for his early recovery.

At the same time, it was a pleasant get-together for the coaching staff of both teams.

Earlier, a meeting between Virat Kohli and Pakistan skipper Babar Azam attracted a lot of appreciation from cricket buffs around the world.

Pakistan, India to clash on Sunday

Cricket giants India and Pakistan could square up three times during the two weeks of the T20 competition in the United Arab Emirates.

The six-nation tournament was moved from Sri Lanka because of political unrest and it takes on extra significance this year because the T20 World Cup in Australia is coming up fast, in October and November.

Sri Lanka meet Afghanistan in Saturday's opening match but all eyes will be on India and Pakistan, who clash in Dubai on Sunday.

India will be looking to avenge their 10-wicket humiliation by Pakistan at the same venue in last year's T20 World Cup, and skipper Rohit Sharma is trying to keep his players level-headed as the expectation and excitement among fans hits fever pitch.

"Everyone watches the game and it's a high-pressure game without a doubt, but within the group we want to create a normal atmosphere," he told Star Sports.

"We don't want to hype this game too much. It's important to tell the players who haven't played against Pakistan or played them just one or two times that it's just another opposition."

India head coach Rahul Dravid has Covid and India late on Wednesday appointed former batsman VVS Laxman to take charge in an interim capacity.