Ibrahim Zadran and Kartik Aryan. (Twitter)
The Afghan batsman was been at a gym with Bollywood sensation Aryan, which has created a stir amongst both cricket and cinema fans, adding to the excitement surrounding the World Cup.
Afghanistan’s top-order batter Ibrahim Zadran has been spotted at a gym with Bollywood sensation Kartik Aryan. After pulling off some massive upsets at the tournament, it looks like Afghanistan is in no mood to slow down with constant workout sessions in the gym. This led to an incredible encounter between Zadran and the Bollywood actor, adding to the excitement surrounding the World Cup.
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The Afghan cricketer decided to upload the click on his official handle on X. In his post, Zadran wrote, “Pleased to meet you @TheAaryanKartik”. This isn’t the first time that Kartik Aryan posed with an Afghan cricketer at the gym. Just a few days earlier, the actor made the headlines after sharing a snap with Afghanistan’s star all-rounder Rashid Khan.
The picture has seemed to garner a lot of attention amongst both cricket and cinema fans. Several users have reacted to the post, pouring their reactions in the replies section. One of the fans commended the cricketer over his last performance saying, “I’m sure after your last performance, Kartik would have approached you for a selfie.”
Im sure after your last performance, Kartik would have approached you for a selfie.— Piyush Cricket (@kayptalks) October 26, 2023
Another fan congratulated him on his team’s historic victory over Pakistan at the World Cup. “Congratulations once again”, he wrote.
A third joked about how Zadran looked more handsome than Kartik in the picture. “Zadran is more handsome than Kartik”, he said.
Zadran is more handsome than Karthik 😂😂😂— khan (@MDSHAHZ95549622) October 26, 2023
While another didn’t hesitate to share some cricketing tips with the Afghan cricketer. He wrote, “You play well. Technically you are good, just need to be a bit aggressive against spinners.”
You play well. Technically you are good, just need to be a bit aggressive against spinners.— Rahul Sharma not Gandhi (@parsuraamputra) October 26, 2023
Afghanistan had a poor start to their World Cup 2023 campaign in India. It was Bangladesh who handed them their first defeat of the tournament by six wickets. Zadran failed to show up for his side, scoring only 22 runs in 25 balls in the opener. His misfortune continued in the second game as they took on the hosts India. Afghanistan were beaten by eight wickets while Zadran was once again stuck at a total of 22 runs. In their third game, Afghanistan pulled off a massive upset over the defending champions England, beating them by 69 runs, thanks to stellar bowling performances from Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman who scalped a combined six wickets in the match. They were unable to continue their winning momentum, losing to New Zealand by 149 runs in their next game.
Despite the setbacks at the ongoing tournament, Afghanistan were able to pull off a second big upset as they took down Pakistan by eight wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Zadran played a crucial knock of 87 runs to help his side secure a dominant victory over their rivals. Zadran’s side is next set to face Sri Lanka on October 30 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.