Despite their status as arch-rivals, Pakistan and India players share a good rapport off the field according to former Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi – but there’s one Indian player he won’t be found sharing a coffee with anytime soon.

Afridi, who announced his retirement from international cricket earlier this year, has fondly recalled his experiences playing against India in a column for the International Cricket Council.

However, he has less-fond memories of an encounter with Gautam Gambhir back in 2007, when the pair shared a heated exchange during a one-day international in Kanpur.

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Gambhir collided with the Pakistan allrounder – who was bowling at the time - while running a single, prompting a verbal altercation that was brought to a halt after on-field umpire Ian Gould intervened.

"Contrary to popular belief, India and Pakistan players get along very well. Of course, there are exceptions like Gautam Gambhir, who dare I say isn't the friendliest," Afridi wrote.

"We are unlikely to be found together at a coffee shop anytime soon.

"We had a heated exchange on the field some years ago and it made headlines all over the world.

"While I have moved on in life as I feel these things are part and parcel of the game, Gautam for some reason can't get over it.

"Good luck to him!"

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However Afridi has much warmer feelings towards the likes of Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan.

"The three are my good mates and we have some wonderful memories together from the times when both the sides used to play and tour each other on a regular basis,” Afridi said.

"In the early days of our careers, we used to hang out together quite a lot and also spend time at each other's homes. Now, all of us are married and, as such, responsibilities and the priority lists have changed.

"But whenever we catch-up, we meet with warmth and love, and remember our good times together.”

Tensions between the Pakistani and Indian governments mean the teams have not met in a bilateral Test series since 2007 or ODI series since 2013, with ICC events presenting a rare opportunity for India and Pakistan to meet on the cricket field.

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The next of those encounters will come during next month’s Champions Trophy in the United Kingdom, with Pakistan and India to meet at Edgbaston on June 4.

"Unfortunately, we don't meet each other that often now due to the prevailing relations between the two countries,” Afridi lamented.

“But I miss the good times with my Indian cricket friends and I am sure they feel likewise.

“Hopefully, the situation will improve soon so that the old friends can reunite to relive old memories.

"I recall during one of India's tours to Pakistan, I invited the entire India team to my Karachi house. We prepared special Pathan-style rich food, full of lamb and mutton dishes.

"When the food was served, there was a complete silence in the room and my Indian friends were looking at each other.

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“At that point, I realised that my honourable and respectable guests don't eat that type of food.

"Quite a few of them were vegetarians, and so, we had to urgently replace the food with Daal (lentils) and vegetables dishes.

“It was quite embarrassing for me to not know about the dietary requirements of the guests since our similarity of culture made me take many things for granted.

“That was a funny memory of my 'hospitality' for the Indian team.”

Champions Trophy 2017 Guide

Squads: Every Champions Trophy squad named so far

Group A: Australia, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh.

Group B: India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan.

Schedule

Warm-up matches

26 May – Australia v Sri Lanka, The Oval

27 May – Bangladesh v Pakistan, Edgbaston

28 May – India v New Zealand, The Oval

29 May – Australia v Pakistan, Edgbaston

30 May – New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Edgbaston

30 May – Bangladesh vs India, The Oval

Tournament

1 June – England v Bangladesh, The Oval (Day)

2 June – Australia v New Zealand, Edgbaston (D)

3 June – Sri Lanka v South Africa, The Oval (D)

4 June – India v Pakistan, Edgbaston (D)

5 June – Australia v Bangladesh, The Oval (D/N)

6 June – England v New Zealand, Cardiff (D)

7 June – Pakistan v South Africa, Edgbaston (D/N)

8 June – India v Sri Lanka, The Oval (D)

9 June – New Zealand v Bangladesh, Cardiff (D)

10 June – England v Australia, Edgbaston (D)

11 June – India v South Africa, The Oval (D)

12 June – Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Cardiff (D)

14 June – First semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff (D)

15 June – Second semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston (D)

18 June – Final, The Oval (D)

19 June – Reserve day (D)