'I mistakenly told Shadab Khan about texting Virat' - Agha Salman reveals viral Virat Kohli text incident

Star Pakistani all-rounder Agha Salman had reached out to Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli via Instagram. This move came after Kohli engaged in a heated exchange with former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir during the IPL 2023 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants. Pakistani opener Imam-ul-Haq had disclosed this incident during a recent chat show. Salman's message to Kohli urged him to maintain his composure amidst the on-field tension.

During an interview, the 30-year-old elaborated on his decision to message Kohli and shed light on the Indian batter's response, which occurred during the Asia Cup 2023 clash between India and Pakistan in Pallekele. He detailed how his text sparked a memorable moment during the tournament when Kohli visited the Pakistan dressing room before their match. The exchange, initiated by Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan informing Kohli about Salman's message, quickly became a social media sensation.

"I have so much respect for Virat Kohli, I don't think there is any cricket fan in the world who doesn't respect him. I texted him, I am not going to tell you the complete details but will just tell you the start. It started with 'Virat Bhai', I texted him when he had a fight with Gautam Gambhir [during IPL 2023]," Salman said.

"I, Abdullah Shafique and Usama Mir were sitting together and watching a match, I think New Zealand were playing a series against Pakistan back then. There was nothing [negative] in that message that would make people think I said something bad," the Pakistan all rounder was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.

"I mistakenly told Shadab Khan about texting Virat. You have watched the video of me, Shadab and Virat standing together [during Asia Cup 2023], actually, at that time, he [Shadab] had told him [Virat] that he [I] texted him. We had a bit of laughter after I told Virat that I texted you this, he then told me he may have missed the message as he receives thousands of messages every day. It was all Shadab's doing [telling Kohli]," Salman concluded.

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Salman missed the most sought out Indo-Pak fixture in World Cup 2023

Notably, Agha Salman featured in Pakistan's squad during the Asia Cup 2023 and the ODI World Cup 2023, yet his impact remained limited. Despite his presence in both Asia Cup encounters against India, he didn't secure a spot in Pakistan's playing XI during the crucial ODI World Cup 2023 clash against their arch-rivals at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14. His absence in the lineup was notable amidst the high-stakes match against the traditional adversaries.