Virat Kohli greets Pakistan players after practice, jokes with Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi ahead of Asia Cup clash

 Prior to the highly anticipated India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 match, Virat Kohli was seen greeting Pakistani players and laughing heartily with Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi after a practise session in Pallekele.

Watch;

https://www.youtube.com/live/rMTCtIzCxLY?si=C7stbwIfvhvayEoQ

The last time these two countries faced off in international cricket was in the Australia 2022 T20 World Cup, when Kohli produced an incredible 82* against Pakistan. In the third match of the 2023 Asia Cup, the two teams will square off in the ODI format.

Following the practise, Kohli was seen making his way to the Pakistani camp, where he welcomed Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan. Nearby, Haris Rauf was seated in a stadium seat.

Follow live updates of the Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan here.

The entire time Kohli and Shadab engaged in what seemed to be a lighthearted conversation, they were beaming and making jokes. Shadab greeted Mohammed Shami as he approached shortly after, and Kohli and Shami continued their talk.

Shaheen Afridi then joined the conversation; by this time, Kohli had Shadab's bat in his hand and was practising in the shadows while still speaking with the Pakistan spinner. Then Shaheen grabbed over Shadab's bat and started willow swinging a little bit for himself.

There was clearly much to catch up on between the players of the two cricketing giants as the talk went on for a while. The two groups will square off in Pallekele, with a World Cup matchup between them planned for Ahmedabad the following month. However, there is a chance of rain for the Asia Cup game, and thunderstorms are expected on Saturday.

A day before the game, Pakistan announced their starting lineup, keeping the same squad that defeated Nepal in the tournament's opening match.

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