During the Asia Cup 2023, a heartwarming moment between cricketing rivals India and Pakistan surfaced on social media, showcasing the camaraderie between superstar Virat Kohli and Pakistan’s Shadab Khan amidst the intense competition. Despite the longstanding on-field rivalry, instances like these highlight the mutual respect and friendship shared by players from both sides.
“Virat Kohli cracks jokes in Punjabi with Shadab. He’s very humble. He always greets us before a match, which is very nice. He has no air about him being a sports star,” Naseem Shah said in an interview.
In the midst of the tournament, Pakistan faced a setback with fast bowler Naseem Shah sustaining a shoulder injury, which eventually sidelined him for over five months, including the remainder of the Asia Cup and the subsequent ODI World Cup in India. However, Shah recently made a comeback to competitive cricket during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), representing Islamabad United.
ALSO READ: Kolkata Knight Riders Secure Dushmantha Chameera as Gus Atkinson Withdraws From IPL 2024
Reflecting on his interactions with Kohli, Shah commended the Indian captain for his down-to-earth demeanour, emphasizing Kohli’s humility and friendly gestures, even cracking jokes in Punjabi with Shadab Khan. Despite Kohli’s stature as a global sports icon, Shah noted his approachability and lack of airs, both on and off the field.
In an interview with Samaa TV, Nassem Shah expressed his admiration for Kohli’s character, highlighting how the Indian skipper greets opponents before matches, portraying a sense of normalcy and camaraderie amidst the competitive environment.
“We have good performances against India too, have beaten them in the world cup (T20 World Cup 2022). India are no doubt one of the best teams in the world. It’s a game, sometimes you lose. There are times when things aren’t going your way then any team can beat you,” he stated.
Nassem Shah, who has represented Pakistan across all formats since his debut in November 2019 at the age of 15, acknowledged the recent dominance of the Indian cricket team in their encounters against Pakistan. With India emerging victorious in the majority of their recent clashes, Shah recognized their status as one of the best teams globally. However, he remained optimistic about Pakistan’s ability to compete, citing past victories, including a notable win in the T20 World Cup 2022.
ALSO READ: Sanjay Manjrekar Highlights England Bowlers’ Shortcomings After India’s Dominant Win
When asked about the toughest batsman to bowl to, Nassem Shah singled out Kane Williamson in Test cricket, highlighting the New Zealand captain’s ability to challenge bowlers with his consistency and precision. Despite the pressure of facing formidable opponents like India, Shah maintained confidence in Pakistan’s capabilities, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of cricket and the potential for any team to succeed on a given day.
