Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib has spoken candidly about his close personal relationship with Indian left-arm spinner Axar Patel, describing a bond that extends well beyond the cricket field. Naib made these remarks ahead of the second T20I of the ongoing Friendship Cup series between Afghanistan and India.
The three-match T20I Friendship Cup series commenced on September 13, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi, with all three matches scheduled at the same venue. Both Naib and Axar Patel are named in their respective national squads for the series. He also described Axar as a very great man, underlining the genuine warmth he holds for his Indian counterpart.
“I get along really well with Axar (Axar Patel) bhai. We always talk, whether I’m at home or wherever I am. Whenever I call him, he picks up on the first ring, and he always replies to my messages,” Naib said, speaking on Afghanistan Cricket’s Instagram.
How did Naib and Axar Patel build their friendship?
The relationship between Naib and Axar developed through shared franchise cricket opportunities, including experience in the Indian Premier League. Such environments have long provided players from different nations a setting to interact away from the pressures of international cricket, and the two have clearly made the most of that common ground.
Naib has acknowledged that he has met and shares friendly ties with several other Indian cricketers, including Virat Kohli. However, he was emphatic that his connection with Axar is in a different category altogether, sustained by regular communication regardless of where either player happens to be at any given time.
What does Naib’s bond with Axar tell us about the Friendship Cup?
The series carries a name that reflects the broader spirit of cricket diplomacy between Afghanistan and India, and Naib’s openness about his relationship with Axar adds a genuine human dimension to that narrative. Franchise cricket has played a meaningful role in helping players from the two nations build personal connections that persist long after a tournament ends.
The fact that Naib and Axar maintain consistent contact across distances and time zones illustrates how those off-field bonds can run deeper than the competitive rivalry on the pitch. With all three matches of the Friendship Cup being played at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, both sets of players share a single stage where professional competition and personal respect sit side by side.
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