'Like a war' - Makhaya Ntini feels India-Pakistan rivalry is like 'going to a battle' for players

Former South African pacer Makhaya Ntini described the historic Indo-Pak rivalry "like a war" before the two arch-rivals gear up to face each other in the ongoing 2023 Asia Cup on September 2 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Tempers have often flared in the past when these two teams have met each other and one can vouch that there will be firecrackers in the middle when the likes of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf come charging towards Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. 

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Ntini who has witnessed several Indo-Pak encounters in the past in his capacity as an expert revealed that the atmosphere before the match is "like a war". 

What did Makahya Ntini say about the India-Pakistan rivalry?

"Not just for me as a South African. You look from the Pakistan point of view and the Indian point of view, it is almost like there is a war between these two countries. You will never sleep if you are defeated by either. I think from the crowd's point of view it is unbelievable. Everybody enjoys watching Pakistan play India. Doesn't matter where they are playing in the world. You look at the last World Cup, it was crazy! Crazy, crazy, crazy!" he said talking to Revsportz.

However, the cricketer also said that the match unites the two countries and there is an air of camaraderie once the battle in the 22-yards is over. 

"I will tell you one thing about the two countries. When the game is finished, all of them go back to their beloved countries and they are so proud to watch and experience how this kind of a game really unites the two countries. Doesn't matter what problems they have but the moment the two countries join on the field it becomes a union of note," he added. 

Indeed, things have changed for the better. Now, often we find the two sets of cricketers exchange greetings off-the-pitch and there is a sense of mutual respect. 

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On the eve of the match, Virat Kohli was spotted having a heartfelt interaction with Pakistan's Haris Rauf. 

The duo shares a storied rivalry on the pitch as it is not even a year since Kohli smacked two mammoth sixes off him in the T20 World Cup in the penultimate over to turn the tide in India's favour chasing 160. However, it seems that both players have moved on and they shared greetings with each other when they met during the practice sessions of their respective teams under lights. 

Kohli and Rauf also embraced each other and shared a few light-hearted moments before they lock horns on Saturday afternoon in the continental event. 

King Kohli meets Haris Rauf ahead of the India Vs Pakistan clash. pic.twitter.com/ILPaL6Jk3a

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 1, 2023

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