Shahid Afridi thankful to Virat Kohli for farewell gift

KARACHI - Former Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi thanked Indian star batsman Virat Kohli after the former dispatched his shirt bearing the autographs of Indian players as a farewell gift.

The flamboyant all rounder took to Twitter and exchanged pleasantries with Kohli, in what appears to be a rare sight between cricketing rivals.

“Thank you to you and the entire Indian team for a wonderful farewell gift @imVkohli. Respect superstar, hope to see you soon,” Afridi had tweeted on Friday

https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/855374440858890241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geo.tv%2Flatest%2F138960-Afridi-thanks-Kohli-for-wonderful-farewell-gift

In less than an hour, the Indian cricketing legend responded and said it was a pleasure to have gifted something of importance. 'God bless you' tweeted Kohli.

https://twitter.com/imVkohli/status/855384821312442368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geo.tv%2Flatest%2F138960-Afridi-thanks-Kohli-for-wonderful-farewell-gift

In a heartwarming show of sportsmanship and camaraderie, the Indian cricket team had sent a special retirement gift to Pakistan’s former T20 captain Shahid Afridi last week.

The ODI jersey, with the number 18 and “Virat” printed on it, has the signatures of Yuvraj Singh, Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah, Suresh Raina, Pawan Negi, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, R Ashwin, Hardik Pandya and former coach Ravi Shastri, among others, on it.

The jersey also carried this special message from Kohli: “Best wishes, Shahid Bhai. Always a pleasure playing against you.”