T20 World Cup 2024: Afghanistan-Pakistan rivalry heating up more than Indo-Pak? Ajay Jadeja sparks debate with shocking statement

Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja has ignited a debate with a shocking statement regarding the cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan ahead of their much-awaited clash in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday, June 8, in New York.

Jadeja, the former Afghanistan cricket team mentor, has surprisingly warned that the historic cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan is in danger, as Afghanistan has been emerging as the Men in Green’s new arch-nemesis on the field. Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter, also reckoned the same.

Rashid Latif and Ajay Jadeja make bold predictions as Afghanistan-Pakistan rivalry heats up

In a recent video shared by Rashid Latif on the microblogging platform X, Jadeja highlighted the escalating intensity between Afghanistan and Pakistan in their cricket encounters. He described the recent matches between the two teams as "phenomenal" and predicted a significant rise in rivalry.

Jadeja recounted his observations after witnessing the Afghanistan versus Pakistan matches, highlighting the extraordinary scenes of celebration in the Afghan dressing room.

He compared the enthusiasm of the Indo-Pak rivalry to the increasing intensity of matches between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Jadeja also predicted that the AFG vs PAK rivalry might surpass IND vs PAK in terms of rivalry intensity.

Ajay Jadeja said in a video shared by Rashid Latif on X: “The intensity between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent encounters has been phenomenal. It's a rivalry that's heating up.”

With their aggressive style of play and resilient attitude, Afghanistan has delivered thrilling contests against Pakistan, and their close encounters in the Asia Cup and World Cup were totally beyond entertainment. Pakistan and Afghanistan players both have a natural element of competitiveness, while their strong bowling attack leads to close and high-pressure matches.

AFG vs PAK rivalry will score 100: Ajay Jadeja

Meanwhile, Ajay Jadeja believes that Afghanistan’s emergence as a formidable force has undoubtedly added spice to its rivalry with Pakistan, and it certainly challenges the historic Indo-Pak rivalry.

Ajay Jadeja said in his video: “I have seen the dressing rooms of India after we beat Pakistan. But what I saw after Afghanistan beat Pakistan was unbelievable. Normally the Afghan cricketers are very disciplined, but that day, I saw bin piye sharabi. When my friends asked me how the Afghan experience was, I told them that if you give Indo-Pak rivalry a score of 10, then AFG vs PAK will score 100. That leaves them very surprised.”

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Afghanistan and Pakistan are both currently participating in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, where Rashid Khan’s team is on fire while Babar Azam’s struggle continues in the 20-team tournament.

Afghanistan have won both their first two games in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, including a historic win over the Black Caps, while Pakistan lost their opening clash against the co-hosts, the USA.

Pakistan will next face India in the tournament on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, while Afghanistan will take on the PNG in their next match on June 14 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad.