Afghanistan’s white-ball star Gulbadin Naib has claimed that matches against Pakistan are far more intense than those against India. Speaking to CricTracker after a game against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on February 2, he said, “The rivalry with Pakistan is much more intense than India-Afghanistan. Whenever we face Pakistan, the atmosphere is electric, whether in India, Pakistan, or Dubai. It’s a clash that brings out the best in both teams.”
Discussing the upcoming Champions Trophy, Naib acknowledged the tough competition but expressed confidence in Afghanistan’s abilities. “All eight teams are strong, having qualified through the ODI World Cup. But we will go into the tournament with a positive mindset,” he said.
Naib also praised the DP World ILT20 as a valuable platform for Afghan players to showcase their skills. He shared his experience of playing alongside David Warner, calling it “an amazing learning experience” due to Warner’s vast knowledge and playing style.
It is worth noting that Afghanistan defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the ODI World Cup 2023.