Shahid Afridi remembers his on-field conflicts with Gautam Gambhir as being “a different character.”

Given that the two Asian powers have fought each other in several bloody encounters throughout the years, India and Pakistan‘s rivalry is one of the fiercest in world cricket. Temperaments have frequently erupted on the field during the high-voltage match as players engaged in intense verbal altercations. Between Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi during an ODI in 2007, one of the most well-known on-field fights in an India-Pakistan match occurred.

The pair have been at odds ever since, openly expressing their disagreement on both cricket and political matters. Recently, Afridi was questioned about whether Gambhir could be easily provoked while he was playing. In response, the former all-rounder said that sledging is a natural part of the game and referred to Gambhir as having a “different character” from other players.

“Cricket features these things. It’s common. Additionally, I think social media has overdone the hoopla. He has a different character from that of other players, woh different kisam ka character hain (regular players see him as different from them). In addition, Team India has the same opinion about him. Not that it was only with me…he…On the episode “Had Kar Di” with Momin Saqib, Shahid Afridi said, “I feel we should address more positive things in this show.

Afridi went on to say that very few Indian batsmen have the ability to timing the ball as well as Gambhir does.

I’ve seen very few Indian batsmen with such excellent timing with the bat. He is a fantastic talent,” the former Pakistan captain continued.

During a cricket match for the Legends League, Shahid Afridi and Gambhir shared a touching moment.

Notably, the pair experienced a touching moment earlier this year when they were seen shaking hands during a Legends League Cricket match in Doha. Later in the game, after Gambhir was struck while batting, Afridi even checked on him. The two exchanges went viral on social media, and despite their disagreements, the pair was praised for their sportsmanship.