'Pak-Afghan rivalry bigger than Afghanistan-India,' says Gulbadin

Afghanistan's white-ball star Gulbadin Naib has made a bold claim, saying that Afghanistan's clashes with Pakistan are "more intense" than Afghanistan-India.

During an interview with CricTracker after a match against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on February 2, he said, "The rivalry [of Afghjanistan] 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."

Talking about the Champions Trophy, he said, "It's going to be a tough competition with all eight teams being strong, having qualified through the ODI World Cup. But we are confident in our abilities and will go into the tournament with a positive mindset."

Naib praised the DP World ILT20 as a great platform for Afghan cricketers to showcase their skills to the world. He said, "It's a great chance for Afghan players to prove themselves among the best."

The 33-year-old also spoke about playing alongside cricket star David Warner. "Sharing a dressing room with Warner has been an amazing learning experience. His knowledge and way of playing are very valuable," he said.

It merits a mention that Afghanistan defeated Pakistan in the ODI World Cup 2023 by eight wickets.