Afghan cricketer Gulbadin Naib emphasized that the rivalry between Pakistan and Afghanistan is more intense than that with India. His comments stem from an interview before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, in which Afghanistan will play key matches in Pakistan. Naib praised the supportive cricketing cultures of both nations while highlighting the importance of these rivalries in player development and entertainment for fans.
Gulbadin Naib, an all-rounder and key player for Afghanistan’s national cricket team, recently expressed his views on the rivalries between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and India and Afghanistan. Speaking during the ILT20 2025, he indicated that the contest with Pakistan is more intense. His remarks come ahead of Afghanistan’s campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, where they will face strong teams like South Africa, England, and Australia.
In an interview with CricTracker, Naib humorously reflected on the rivalry question, stating that fans particularly enjoy matches against Pakistan due to the warmth of their cricketing community. He shared, “It’s a tough question. Because if you go to the audience, people like to see us playing matches against Pakistan, because we enjoy playing with them. They are a loving cricketing nation.” He noted that while the rivalry with India is also significant, the connection with Pakistan feels more intense.
Naib highlighted his experiences playing against both teams, complimenting the passionate Indian crowd. He expressed amazement at the support Afghanistan received during their T20 series in India, saying, “even when we were playing the last T20 series in India, we couldn’t believe that we were playing at their home… the crowd we saw.”
He reiterated the enjoyment of playing against Pakistan by stating that their matches are entertaining for fans. “When we were playing in Pakistan, or when we played matches with Pakistan in Dubai, they enjoy a lot. People are entertained,” he noted. He emphasized that such high-stakes games are crucial for players’ development: “the more we play the better it is for the players. So I think we like to play with Pakistan.”
The rivalry between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India in cricket has grown significantly over the years, with each team bringing its own unique passion and skill to the game. Recently, Afghan cricketer Gulbadin Naib offered insights on this competitive dynamic, particularly focusing on the intensity perceived among rivalries. His comments were made in light of Afghanistan’s upcoming participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which adds context to his observations, especially given the importance of fan support and competitive spirit in international cricket.
Gulbadin Naib’s comments underscore the heightened competitiveness in Afghanistan’s rivalry with Pakistan compared to that with India. His appreciation of the cricketing love shared between nations highlights the importance of fan engagement in making these matches memorable. As Afghanistan prepares for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Naib’s insights reflect both the pride and determination of the Afghan team in facing prominent cricketing nations and the desire to grow through these challenging contests.
Original Source: www.latestly.com