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Published 16:22 IST, July 19th 2020

Shahid Afridi reveals why he likes Gautam Gambhir as a cricketer but not as a person

Former Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi revealed why he likes 2011 World Cup winner and long-time rival Gautam Gambhir as a player but not as a person

Reported by: Karthik Nair
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Shahid Afridi has gone on to say that he likes his long-time on and off-the-field rival Gautam Gambhir as a batsman as well as a cricketer but at the same time also revealed why the two can never co-exist on a personal note. Meanwhile, Afridi also said that Gautam Gambhir has some problems as highlighted by Team India's former Strength & Conditioning coach Paddy Upton in his autobiography that was released last year.

'He has some problems': Shahid Afridi

While talking to former Pakistani TV host Zainab Abbas, the former Pakistan skipper went on to say that he has always liked the southpaw as a cricketer and as a batsman but as a human being he sometimes says certain things, gives certain treatment that makes one feel just let it be, he has some problems and his physio has already highlighted that.

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Upton in his autobiography had described the former opener as a 'mentally insecure' person (“Using the popular notion of mental toughness, he was one of the weakest and mentally most insecure’ people I have worked with”)

Why Gambhir & Afridi cannot co-exist?

Both Gambhir and Afridi do not get along well with each other either personally or politically. The duo was involved in a heated exchange on the field during an ODI match at Kanpur in 2007. It all happened when Gambhir had set for a single when the senior all-rounder had come in between due to which the two ended up colliding with each other and just when things started getting personal, the on-field umpire had to intervene and warned both the players. The match referee had also levied heavy fines on both the star players. 

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READ: Shahid Afridi Tests Positive For COVID-19, Gautam Gambhir Wishes Him A Speedy Recovery

16:22 IST, July 19th 2020