The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place in Dubai on February 23, and former Pakistan captain Moin Khan has issued a strong piece of advice to the Mohammad Rizwan-led side—avoid being too friendly with Indian players on the field.
Speaking on a podcast hosted by actress Ushna Shah, Moin Khan expressed his disapproval of Pakistani cricketers engaging in casual interactions with Indian players during matches. He criticized the current generation’s approach, saying their friendly behavior during high-stakes games is “unfathomable.”
“No Need to Talk to Them on the Field” – Moin Khan’s Take on India-Pakistan Rivalry
Moin, who has played several high-voltage matches against India in his career, believes over-friendliness can be counterproductive. While he acknowledges that mutual respect is essential in cricket, he firmly believes too much camaraderie can be seen as a sign of weakness.
“I just don’t get it when I watch Pakistan and India matches these days. As Indian players come to the crease, our players check their bats, pat them, and have friendly talks. Our seniors always told us that when playing against India, there is no need to talk to them on the field,” Moin Khan said.
Pakistan Needs a Focused Mindset for Champions Trophy 2025
With India and Pakistan set to lock horns in one of cricket’s biggest rivalries, Moin Khan emphasized the need for a more competitive and focused approach.
“I think our players don’t understand this, but being too friendly is seen as a sign of weakness on the field, and you automatically come under pressure in your performances,” he added.
Pakistan’s recent encounters with India have seen mixed results. In their last match at the T20 World Cup 2024, India defeated Pakistan by six runs. However, in Dubai 2021, Pakistan secured a historic 10-wicket victory against India, marking their first-ever T20I win over their arch-rivals.
As the countdown to Champions Trophy 2025 begins, Moin Khan’s advice could spark debate among fans and analysts. Will Pakistan’s cricketers take a more aggressive and focused approach, or will they continue their friendly demeanor on the field? Only time will tell when the teams face off in Dubai on February 23, 2025.
