HIGHLIGHTS
In Dubai, people observed Shaheen Afridi wearing a knee brace.
Afridi was forced to withdraw from the Asia Cup 2022 due to a knee injury. In a conversation with Rishabh Pant, Afridi was joking about his chances.
The players from India and Pakistan have been introducing themselves to one another during the training sessions at the ICC Academy in Dubai in preparation for the highly anticipated Asia Cup match on Sunday. Shaheen Afridi, a left-arm bowler, talked with India's top players, including Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Yuzvendra Chahal, one day after the Pakistani captain Babar Azam and Kohli met.

Shaheen Afridi has accompanied the Pakistani team to the UAE despite being unable to compete in the Asia Cup 2022 owing to a knee ailment. The left-arm bowler was spotted interacting with the Indian cricketers while sporting a knee brace.

Shaheen Afridi can be seen chatting with the Indian players in a video posted by the Pakistan Cricket Board as they appear to be making their way to the ICC Academy for a training session. Virat Kohli and Afridi can be seen having a protracted conversation during which the former skipper can be heard wishing the fast bowler well.

Rishabh Pant, an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, overheard Shaheen Afridi jokingly stating that he was considering batting for Pakistan at the Asia Cup.

Afridi also spoke with India vice-captain KL Rahul, who is also making a comeback to T20 cricket after recuperating from an illness and injury. Rahul had guided India in the three-match ODI series earlier this month in Zimbabwe. In the current World Cup year, Rahul has yet to play a T20I for India.

The interaction between Shaheen Afridi and India players was captured on camera, and cricket fans from both nations have been praising the great cricketers' respect for one another on social media.

Afridi played a key role in Pakistan's 10 wicket victory over India by knocking out the top order, eliminating Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul for cheap before coming back to dismiss Virat Kohli after he scored a fifty.

India will be captained by Rohit Sharma for the first time in a T20I encounter against Pakistan as the defending champions attempt to start their Asia Cup campaign with a spirit-boosting victory.

Notably, Wasim Akram, a former captain of Pakistan, highlighted the lack of variety in the bowling attack when he said Afridi's absence will have a significant influence on Pakistan's chances earlier this week in an interview with Star Sports.

Shaheen's replacement for the Asia Cup has been announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board earlier this week: right-arm bowler Mohammad Hasnain. Notably, Shaheen must work quickly to get well in time for the T20 World Cup, which begins on October 16 in Australia.