Don't be friendly with Indian players in Champions Trophy 2025: Moin Khan

India and Pakistan are set to lock horns in the Champions Trophy 2025 on February 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The arch-rivals are placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Moin Khan has described the friendliness between India and Pakistan players as ‘unfathomable’ ahead of the impending encounter between the two teams. According to the cricketer-turned-expert, the intensity in the India-Pakistan matches has dropped considerably in recent years because the players are too 'friendly' with each other.

"I just don't get it when I watch Pakistan and India matches these days, as Indian players come into the crease our players check their bats, pat them, have a friendly talk. Nowadays, our players' behaviour when playing against India is unfathomable to me. Even off the field as professionals you have to have certain boundaries," said the former head coach and chief selector during a podcast hosted by actor Ushna Shah.

Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: Imran Khan stand to stay at Gaddafi Stadium

Khan recalled that his senior players in the Pakistan team advised the youngsters to refrain from speaking to the Indian cricketers during matches as they felt that being too friendly was a sign of weakness.

"Our seniors always told us that when playing against India, give no quarter and no need to even talk to them on the field. When you get friendly, they see it as a sign of weakness. 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.

Since 2016, India and Pakistan have had friendly encounters, as players from both teams have not shown too much animosity on the field. Virat Kohli has been spotted having light-hearted conversations with the Pakistan players during the matches. Babar Azam and Co. have also shown no signs of hostility towards the Indian cricketers.

However, despite the friendly relations that have developed between the players from the two teams in recent years, India-Pakistan clashes continue to be a major attraction in the sport. They played in the finals of the previous edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017 when Pakistan emerged victorious. Fans are waiting to witness the latest chapter in the epic rivalry between the two neighbouring nations.