Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Moin Khan has said that he is unable to understand the basis and reason for the friendship between India and Pakistan players in recent times, given the immense rivalry that all games between the two countries entail. The rivals are all set to meet each other again after eight months on February 23 in the Champions Trophy.

A tough player during his career, Moin said that the players should respect the opposition but shouldn't cross the professional lines.

While India-Pakistan matches were very heated till a decade or two back, these days, players have meted out very friendly behaviour towards each other.

“I just don’t get it when I watch Pakistan and India matches these days, as Indian players come into the crease our players check their bats, pat them, have a friendly talk," Moin said while speaking on a podcast by Ushna Shah.

Moin, who featured in several battles with India on the field, said that he wasn't against having respect for opposition players but being friends with them could result in losing respect.

“Our seniors always told us that when playing against India give no quarter and no need to even talk to them on the field. When you get friendly, they see it as a sign of weakness," Moin said.

The former Pakistan wicketkeeper said that he had a lot of respect for some of the Indian cricketers of his generation but never showed it on the field.

“Nowadays, our players' behaviour when playing against India is unfathomable to me. Even off the field as professionals you have to have certain boundaries," Moin said.

The former Pakistan wicketkeeper said that not being able to defeat India in a World Cup game remained one of the biggest regrets of players from his time.

Moin, who played 69 Tests and 219 ODIs, said that Pakistan and India are among the favourites to do well in the Champions Trophy.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Cricket, Sports and around the world.