Jasprit Bumrah (L) and Shaheen Afridi©
The on-field rivalry between India and Pakistan is legendary in the cricket world, but off the field there have been many examples between players from both teams that have won the hearts of fans around the world. An example of this happened after the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match was abandoned due to rain and Shaheen Afridi went to Jasprit Bumrah with a very special gift. Bumrah and wife Sanjana Ganesan were blessed with a baby boy earlier this week and Shaheen had a gift for him. The two fast bowlers hugged each other and Shaheen congratulated him and wished him and his family to remain happy.
The India and Pakistan cricketers also shared light moments ahead of their group match in the competition, with Virat Kohli meeting Shaheen and others in the dressing room.
Spreading joy
Shaheen Afridi gives a smile to new father Jasprit Bumrah #PAKvIND | #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/Nx04tdegjX
— Pakistani cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 10, 2023
Rain on Sunday forced a blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan into a reserve day after just 24.1 overs in the Super Four phase of the Asia Cup.
India will resume at 147-2 in the 50-over match on Monday after rain abruptly ended their innings following Pakistan’s decision to bowl first in Colombo.
An extra day was a last-minute addition to the Super Four clash – the only match to gain the advantage apart from the final – after an earlier group meeting between the two teams collapsed due to rain in Pallekele.
Rain in Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the tournament with Pakistan, has left organizers in disarray. The tournament is a precursor to the upcoming ODI World Cup.
(With AFP inputs)
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